River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-07-23

burned ballots told the fact to the outside,
waiting people. The first balloting gave
% votes to Cardinal Pecci-he was seen to
be greatly disturbed-his face expressed
dismay and grief At the second balloting
the name OF Pecci was called SO times
great tears rolled down his cheeks-hls pen
dropped from his trembling hands. Before
the third balloting he begged the cardinals
to drop his name and choose one more wor-
thy. The third balloting began-44 votes
were recorded against his name. He rose
declaring his unworthiness. Il am old, am
feeble | shall soon end my days; it is not
the papacy. it is death that should be given
me-" Finally he bowed to what his brother
cardinals declared to be the Divine will
and gave Leo XIII. for his pontifical name.
He trembled at the threshold of this un-
known glory, where he must be solitary, so
high above those who were nearest to him.
The hour was very bitter. There was not a
stain upon his name In statecraft he ranked
with Gladstone and Bismarck-when they
passed away he stood alone as the greatest
statesman in Europe. BY his uniform,
steady line of action, his aims were attended
by remarkable success. Leo's benevolence,
his seIf-denial surpassed even his zeal and
worldly wisdom. To aid the poor he
stocked all the streams he could control
with fish. The fruits of his gardens he or
dered to be preserved and dealt out to the
needy.
late empress craved an audience with
him-had the poor taste to denounce GER
tain doctrines of the church. Leo listened
with gentle courtesy. On leaving, she was
bold enough to ask for his photograph and
request that he would write something be-
meath it. LEO XIII, to those who walk in
darkness and will not see light was what
she read.
The war between Spain and the United
States gave Leo infinite distress. lie was
so torn between the appeals of his people
in Spain and the reliance his loyal following
in the United States placed upon his up
holding the righteous end of the cause that
it was feared he could not bear the strain.
The queen of Holland appealed to Leo to
use his influence to end the South African
war. He declared no war had caused such
bitterness of spirit-a war that was inspired
neither by ideals of civilization nor by just
national interests-but humbly added, Il
can do nothing but pray for the dead"
His life was regular and simple. He rose
at six-rather his valet called him at six,
but often found him at his desk. 1t is ETH
quette that pope eat alone, which he did
with all the hurry of a business man. AT
eight he entered upon the business of the
day with one of the cardinals. That over, he
walked in the vatican gardens, which he
supervised. A gardener, whom he censured
for raising poor ivy, exclaimed: 'His holt
ness can teach everyone, from his cardinals
down"
After his walk he would return to his re-
ception room and receive all entitled to an
audience Receiving, pope remains seat
ed-the visitor makes three bows, one on en-
tering, one in the middle of the room, one
when kissing the pope's slipper-audience
over, he backs from the room. If Leo re-
ceived an American he directed he should
act as if he were being received by the presl-
dent of the United States. He dined lightly
in the middle of the day, committing but
one excess When he could elude the eyes
of his doctors he would eat salad. Once
when made i'll by this indulgence he hum
bly, confessed he had eaten of the forbidden
thing. After dinner he INDUCED in the
siesta, so dear to Italians, then drove in the
gardens, attended by members of the Swiss
and royal guards. After the drive he again
began work with his secretary. AT 10 he
took his evening meal. After supper and
prayers, all of interest in the newspapers
was read to him. He loved the news and
kept posted on all the political events
throughout the world. There was nothing
in science, literature, art or philanthropy
with which he was not familiar He sat up
late writing verses or connecting those won
derful productions he sent out to the world
often would rouse his secretary in the mid.
die of the night to take notes. He had none
of the English dread of American inven'
tions, but wanted everything about him up.
to-date, even to house cleaning, which never
occurred to any other pope. He employed
an army of scrubbers, and, as he had l ,l00
rooms, it was work of time, but it was
done with the thoroughness of a New Eng
land housewife. He did not scorn type
writer, but thought it undignifed for him
to use one.
His manner and his person, his mind and
his speech were peculiar like none round
him. His disposition was serene-his faith
sublime He had a strong sense of humor
and vein of sarcasm. A royal lady painted
his portrait--it was such an atrocious carica-
ture it amused him. She asked him to affix
his autograph-he wrote in Latin. cit is :
be not afraid. Leo XIII" A physician
and scientist who visited him in 1899 said
LEO will not die like one of US; he will
flicker out like a lamp having consumed its
last drop of OIL" He loved life, said moth
ing could happen to lessen his love, but
added it was not for the mere love of liy-
ing. He knew, as all knew, that he was
mentally as lively as ever; said he was ready
to battle in the intellectual arena as long as
his bones held together. The scientist said
he never saw one of his age whose organiza-
ton was impaired so little. He scorned
doctors and doctors stuff, yet he was cared
for and watched over like baby by DR..
Lapponi. He ascribed his youthful spirit
to his blithe, contented mind, for which he
gave thanks and glory to God, but would
add, with his peculiar smile, 81 take little
credit to myself, too, and am proud that l
feel as young as 1 do. If one has something
to live for, then one must put off growing
old as long as possible, and that is what /
have done"
Leo delighted in disputes His eyes would
sparkle-by smiles he would encourage his
opponent in every way possible. For him
it was real mental gymnastics