The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-14

Pecci. a great-great aunt of Leo. who lived
in the fifteenth century and died in the
odor of sanctity. The painting is master
piece. Holben might be proud of it. Mar
guerita wears the dress of Sister of Serv-
itude and it is easy to see that the Pope
bears an unmistakable likeness to his saint
ly relative
Near the window stands a praying desk
of gilt wood and over it hangs the Pecci
family tree, showing that they were rulers
Of Siena before one branch established itself
in the fef of Carpineto under the suzer-
ainty of the Holy See. There is also a
wonderful antique writing table, the top
a much-worn leather armchair, the label of
which shows that the Pope used IT for
many years while studying.
IN THE DINING ROOM.
Count Ludivoco had the goodness to place
me at table opposite his countess, the seat
little Joachim Pecci occupied, eighty Or
more years ago. when his good mother pre-
sided at the family board. In this room,
according to Leo's orders, nothing has been
changed. IF ever / am allowed to leave
the Vatican wrote Leo to his nephew soon
after ascending st. Peters throne, II want
to visit my fathers house and there sit in
the old dining hall to think of my dead
loved ones. Pray do not move a chair from
it's accustomed place, nor a nail or pic
ture. If anything threatens to break
down, have it repaired The furniture
must be old as the palace, that is, 500 or
600 years. Even the family portraits are let
into the woodwork of the walls, and the
beamed ceiling seems depressingly low to
modern mind. In the counts drawing room
some concessions to modern times have
been made. 1t is full of light and beauty
and the antique carved furniture has been
newly gilded The apartment is hung in
scarlet brocade silk, showing only here and
there, as the walls are nearly covered with
family portraits, arranged in chronological
order. The most interesting is heretofore
unpublished picture of Leo sitting in an
armchair, his head slightly bent forward.
The face exhibits the splendid intellect of
the Pontiff to marked degree; one might
imagine seeing his thoughts work behind
the tall white forehead. The ceiling is
vaulted. like in most of the apartments,
these ceilings were intended to withstand
occasional assaults of cannon ball.
While we were taking our coffee in the
salon, the guides sent by Monsignor
Adami arrived. the mayor of the town, who.
at the same time is major domo of the
palace, and Ser Angelo who introduced
himself as an ardent worker for the
establishment of the Papal States, main
ly because the kingdom of Italy raised his
taxes five times high as they were
under Pho Mono, while the cost of living
increased tenfold.
These gentlemen, by the way, had en-
tered unannounced, for in the Pecci Palace
the doors always open, while the outer
gates are on the latch day and night; such
are Pope Leo's orders. Just now the palace
yard was full of barefooted and sandal
clad boys who came to get water.
eff the Holy Father had done nothing for
his poor townsmen but to guarantee them
a flow of water all the year round, in
summer as well as in winter, Carpineto
would erect him a monument. AS il is,
he has built himself a monument in every
body's heart" said the mayor The guar
antee" referred to is furnished by the new
water works, now building, fed by the
wells and springs of Monte Carpreo. 1850
feet above the level of the sea. Carpineto's
present water works refuse to work during
the greater part of the year, compelling
the natives sometimes to travel miles to
obtain jugful of the prime necessity of
life. Those water works, too, were a gift
to be swindled by foolish engineer. 1.-THE
new works will be ready in the spring."
said the mayor, another mile of hewing