The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-08-04

rose from her devotions. expressing
surprise and pleasure that l should
have wakened early to attend mass
My appearance that morning was
fortunate one in several ways. Padre
Bartolomeo was complimented for one
thing. and exhibited his satisfaction at
my supposed Catholic tendencies by
showing me what there was to be seen
about the place as soon as the service
was over.
After inspecting the college build
ings and cloisters. we went through
narrow door into a room back of the
chancel, where there were a number
of votive images in wax. representing
either miraculous escapes from violent
death. recoveries from mortal ILL
nesses, or the cures of foul diseases
Although it was as thoroughly un-.
pleasant collection as one could look
upon. some horrid fascination induced
me to examine many of the figures.
One, for instance, was dressed in cot
ton breeches and shirt, over which
gouts of blood from fearful knife cut
in the side were flowing. the suppose
ton being that it represented the
donor at a moment when the blessed
Santa Catalina interfered in his be-
half and enabled him to recover from
q wound that would have killed an OK,
exaggeration of the injury being pre-
sumably the essence of compliment to
the blessed saint. Another recumbent
figure had a gangrened sore over its
wish bone that would have made death
from blood-poisoning a certainty in a
civilized country; yet the blessed San
Ambrosio had attended to this little
matter for the victim and had got him
barangay to collect from in the bar
gain; though. as it usually took the
form of a RENTED consideration in
which Bartolomeo was the medium
no embarrassing recognition of the
latter service appeared. Hanging upon
the walls were arms with fostering
sores upon them, legs with slashes
which laid them open to the bone.
torsos rotting with leprosy. etc.. each
with its appropriate saint ticketed
thereon. 1t didn't occur to me at the
time that should have occasion to re-
member these things; SO when Padre
Bartolomec lifted an iron trap in the
floor, and descended short fight of
steps. l was more than willing to fol-
| low him without further examination
The steps led to a series of vaults
which seemed to be directly under tie
chancel. some of them being stored
with various church appurtenances
and others having the appearance Of
| secret tribunals. l afterward learned
that in former days faint reflection
of the inquisition had given the island
a nameless horror to sundry travellers
between Acapulco and the Philippines
-gobernadors who had grown too sud-
denly rich, and the like. The vaults
were connected by narrow and foul
passages, after going through several
of which we came to a chamber that
apparently served as the church cata.
comb. There were number of niche
around the walls, and in each was the
mummifed figure of padre in a semi
reclining position. similar to those in
the Capuchin cemetery at Rome; the
cowls and gray robes indicated their
connection with the Franciscan order,
so was not surprised at this; though,
from Halstead's story, had expected
to find the bodies inclosed in sar.
cophagi.
While we were looking about the
place, Padre Bartolomeo gave me 8
general introduction to the figures in
the inches, as brothers who had held
his position in former years. It was an
easy matter to appear Interested
was really afraid of seeming too much
so-and asked the name of a venera.
BILE mummy with an iron-bound chest.
rusted and blistered with age, resting
upon his attenuated stomach.
THAT is the blessed Fray Ignacio.
senor," he said. 1.-THE most worthy OF
all the brothers who have lived in the
islands. Because of his great goodness
and his labors among the natives. it
was ordered by the lord bishop at Ma.
Mia that he should forever be the
guardian OF our sacerdotal records
We dc not make history very rapidly
here; SO that box which he holds is sui.
flcient to contain them all. Possibly
a hundred years from now. we shall
construct for him a larger chest upoy
which he may recline.
ITO BE Continued
Knew His Habits.
The following anecdote is given me