The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-03

pope recently lost for while his
"Fisherman's Ring" This Is the
pope's signet ring--hfs episcopal ring,
which he wears az successor OF st.
Peter in the see of Rome. AL bish-
ops of the Catholic church wear an episco-
pal ring, which Is placed upon q finger
of their right hand at the time Of conse-
Grafton, in symbol of their espoueal by the
church. The pope's ring differs from the
rings OF all the other bishops and is the
most celebrated one in Christendom 1t 10
believed to be n copy of the signet ring
OF st. Peter. and bears what il believed
to have been his device. 1t Is to this ring
that the pope aliudes In the phrase In his
will, ITO him who shall take from my
dead hand the seal and the ring of the
fisherman" This is said to be the fourth
time In the history of the church that the
Fisherman's ring has been lost.
The other day the aged pontin fell into
a nap while seated at his writing desk and
awoke to find that his ring had disappear
ed. For the first time since the Cardinal
Cameriengo had placed the ring OF the
fisherman upon the popes finger at his
election it was not there.
After the premises had been searched in
vain the pope's confidential valet Pho was
intrusted with the task OF finding the ring.
He summoned the household servants.
Twelve had been on duty that day, but
only eleven responded to the Wallets sum-
mons. The missing man, Lucido by name,
had gone away in the afternoon TO spend
a few days with his family. Though there
was nothing unusual in this, Pho suspected
Lucido, and this feeling was so strong in
him that he scarcely took time to interro-
gate thoroughly the other servants, all
OF whom swore on the cross that they
knew nothing OF the missing ring. Each
also assured Pho that he had never been
approached by anybody with offers or
promises having the procurement of the
fishermans ring for their object.
1t was o'clock in the morning when
the restless Pic alighted at the gate of a
little country house on the outskirts of
tho Eternal city. Ten minutes later Luz
cido had confessed that the ring was in
his possession. Yet, to all appearances, the
man was innocent of evil design.
The steward-so went his story--had or
dered him to go to the pope's room to
attend to the fire. He wore felt shoes to
avoid making noise. His holiness was
fast asleep; in front of him. right In the
path of the servant lay a ring on the
carpet. Lucidos foot missed 1t by half
an inch only, and he picked 1t up to pre-
vent others from trampins on IL.
Lucido further said that he Immediately
went in search of the valet to deliver the
jewell but found him gone. A little while
afterward he was relieved. and a lieuten-
ant of the Noble Guard sent him to the
city on an errand, instructing him to pro-
coed on his furlough after finishing the
business.
The poor man was nearly frightened to
death when he learned that he was tenn
porary keeper of the great seal OF the
Holy See. He took the ring out of his
trousers pocket, kissed 1t reyerentiy
crossed himself and fell upon his knees,
asking the Lords forgiveness for the lib
erty he had taken.
Then, holding 1t at arms length, he
cried: Master Pho, take the ring-iu
burns my hand"
But Pho refused to burden himself with
that responsibility. Lucido was an ignor-
ant man; up to half an hour before he
hadn't even known the character and Inn
portance of the signet in his keeping It
was to be assumed that. not knowing it's
Significance, he had not used it. But IL
he. Pho. took charge of it he might lay
himself open to suspicion by the church's
authorities.
So he ordered Lucido to procure a piece
of strong linen and some sealing wax, but
never left the servants side while he
hunted for these articles. Next he sent
out for three witnesses. men living In the
neighborhood. In their presence he made
Lucido place the ring in the cloth and seal
the latter UP in tive places. That done, he
asked the three witnesses to affix their
own signets.
As soon as 1t was light Pho got into a
carriage with Lucido and drove to the
vatican. Arrived at the palace, he caused
Cardinal Rampola to be awakened. His
Eminence. on learning who disturbed him,
feared that complications had already
arisen cut of the loss Of the fishermaf,'s
ring, and ordered Pho brought before him
without delay. But Pho sent back answer
that he couldn't leave the man he had in
charge. Bring in both. them" said the
cardinal, whose anxiety and curiosity
were increasing every moment.
Before Pho had half told his story the
secretary of state demanded that the ring
be placed In his hands. 1t was done and
his eminence, after examining 1t, put it
In q strong box. Lucido made detailed
statement, after being duly sworn, where
upon the cardinal ordered him to be con-
fined in room subject to the Pope's
pleasure. But the poor fellow was soon
released, for his erninence concluded that
IL would be best TO make as little fuss
over the matter a. possible. He conse-