Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-10

in farmhouses and often his sermon were
addressed to half a dozen farmers and their
families. They were as carefully prepared
and as eloQuently delivered, however. as
II he had audiences Of foreign ambassa-
doris, United States senator's and members
of congress.
At this period all who knew the young
priest believed that they would go on as
'Keane First" "Kaln Second" During
the next ten years their places remained
the same, except that Father Kain'S repu-
tation for eloquence spread through the
towns Of West Virginia and q part Of Vir-
ginia. He was called on to deliver lectures
in these towns and farmers, Catholics and
Professionals, often drove thirty miles to
hear him. Still his reputation could not
be compared TO that OF the orator Of st.
Patrick's church, whose name was known
throughout the country.
A Change I'm the Order.
About twelve years after the ordination
OF Father Keane and Father Kain, Bishop
Whelan Of Wheeling. w. Va, died. The
name of Father Keane Of Washington was
at once mentioned az his probable sue
cessor and his old college companions said
to one another: II told you so; keane
first, always"
After a time It was rumored that Father
Kahn was also favorably thought Of at
Rome and that both names were on the
lists sent In by the bishops Of the province
and the priests of the diocese. II Is not
probable that there was any actual betting
among the friends of the two priests. but
II there had been, the odds would have
been-2 to 1 on Keane. first.
49, - ia ~ aawaHoI 1aA~NA1 AnANA
dispatches came from Rome announcing.
according to some papers, that the Rev.
John Joseph Kahn had been appointed
bishop Of wheeling. and, according to
| others. that the Rev. John Joseph Keans
had been chosen. The odds were stin
2 to 1 that IL was Keane, first: but when
the ofieial papers reached Baltimore, Il
was found tina the Rev. John Joseph Kahn
Of Harper's Ferry was to be the new
bishop Of Wheeling.
II was a shock 10 the old classmates of
the rivals. The positions held for twenty
years or more were reversed. "Kain sec
ond' had become Kahn first" and "Keane
first had become "Keane second"
After the first surprise, the question was
general-will 1t continue, or will Keane
yet pass the new bishop? A few years later
the question was answered. in part. by the
announcement from Rome hat Father
Keane had been appointed bishop of Rich
mond. Va. The situation then became
exciting to those who had followed the
careers Of the two bishops since their col
lege days.
Which would FIRST wear the pallium Of
an archbishop? was then the question. II
remained unanswered for many years. The
bishops of the two Virginias went on with
their work. their regulations grew apaoe
aud neither faster than the other. When,
however, Bishop Keane gave up his diocese
to become rector OF the Catholic univer-
sity, IL looked as II he had retired from
the race permanently and interest in the
careers OF the rivals decreased. There was
little excitement. therefore when news cams
from Rome that Bishop Kain had been
appointed archbishop Of st. Louis.
1T is KRin. nrst. to the end" was the
general comment.
This opinion was strengthened VheT
Bishop Keane gave up the rectorship Of
the Catholic university and was called tC
Rome to reside there. II was said then thai
he had fallen into disfaVor at Rome and
would pass the remainder OF his day.
within the 5hadoW Of 81. PsteTEone Of tn