The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-24

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Her mother thought that the milk was not
to the child's liking and got a wet nurse.
But no: the child would never change the
hours, twice q day five times, n nee a
day twice in the week"
No vermin, no standing on pillars on one
leg. no fasting. or c~astigation by chance
~loafers, for this manly saint. AS Publius
Lentulus, sometime Governor Of Judea,
wrote to the Roman Senate when describ-
ing the Nazarite, John conducts himself az
a man Of excellent dignity and singular per-
lection, surprising his fellows in every way
possible" No wonder he is the idol Of the
soldiery, so numerous in Russia. and par
t~icularly in Cronstadt, where the army
population is twenty-five thousand. against
thirteen thousand civilian. Good stories
about Papa VANS relations to the Mus
covite Tommy Atkins are numerous.
HELPED A DRUNKEN SOLDIER
A month or so ago st. John happened to
be in the neighborhood of the naval school,
and. seeing a soldier lying across the side
walk dead drunk, exerted himself to help
hin to his feet. At that moment the body
guard OF General Kaufman hove into
sight-Kauffman, who is particularly hard
on drunkards, whom he has whipped and
degraded whenever found. Recognizing the
livery, the saint redoubled his efforts to
rouse the lost sheep. Get UP, little broth
er, Kauffman is coming"
The terrible name did wonders, and Tom
my scrambled to his feet. Then, throwing
his left arm around a nearby lamp post,
he placed himself into position. and. drunk
as he was. succeeded in paying the passing
Excellency at least a resemblance OF the
honors due him.
Kaufman took in the situation with a
glance. Stopping his carriage. he jumped
out Ito teach the drunken pig a lesson"
as he loudly exclaimed. But at this mo-
ment Father John stepped forward and
pleaded for the soldier. 1t was his first Of
Tense. he said, and the mans devotion to
duty was truly affecting. IF the Emperor
could see him hanging on the lamp post
with one arm and touching his cap with
his right, while trying to keep his balance,
his 'Majesty's displeasure would be mixed
with mirth and pity, 1 am sure. And you
won't be more rigorous than the Car HIM
self. general?'' he added, holding out both
hands beseechingly.
What could Kaufman do but relent?
For your sake. Father john" he said,
and, calling a wagon. he ordered the drunk
en- man to be removed to a barracks. If
you will take the trouble TO tell his cap
tain that 1 have forgiven him he shall go
unpublished" said the general, as he took
leave from the good priest. OF course. the
message was promptly delivered.
y QUESTION OF DISCIPLINE.
A still more interesting example Of st.
Johns influence with the soldiers is fur
nished by the following incident:
Three weeks ago a powder magazine blew
up in Batum, one of the numerous victims
being a sentinel, whose right hand was
severely wounded. To everybody's aston
ishment this man kept to his post, deaf and
blind to all signals. Finally the colonel
rode up, saying: what are you doing
here, son? The tower is being wiped out.
there is no need OF keeping guard any
longer. Go and have your wounds at
tended to-"
A your colonelship's ORDERS" replied the
soldier, but 1 can't leave. My sergeant
placed me here and here I must remain"
But your sergeant was killed"
THAT isn't my business. Only my SER
geant, the Car or God have a right to send
me away from post"
Papa Ivan happened to be at the palace
when the OlSpdIcn reporting the SOlOler )
heroic devotion to duty was received. His
Majesty was speechless with surprise. IT
want this brave fellow in my personal serv-
ice," he said after a while. Meanwhile
how can we save him from bleeding to
death? If 1 telegraph, the dispatch will
probably be delayed by red tape. All, I
have it. You telegraph, John, the sentinel
will recognize in you the Almighty's repre-
sentative, and will follow orders without
further objection"
1t was done and Nicholas's calculations
proved correct. The man was relieved
after being on post fourteen hours. He
is still in the hospital.
Last summer the great Dombroso visited
Saint John after d~evoting some weeks to
rigorous Investigations of the miracles per-
formed by the good priest.
II fully believe in the cures ascribed
to this remarkable man." he said after
wards. ''They are due to hypnotic and
religious suggestion aided by a strong,
healthy and lovable personality"
SERGE PAULOVITCH ALEXIS.
copyright by H. w. Fischer.1