The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-05
Many Stories Told of the Late
Pontiff.
RELATION TO NEWSPAPERS
Not Commercially Inclined but
Lovers of Art.

often heard him say TO high prelates
and, even to Cardinals visiting him in his
bedroom: Your Emincnce, let US hope
that sooner or later you viii set tired OF
visiting the country" At other times he
spoke more directly: NO, won't grant
vacations. Remain in Rome like our
selves. If it is good enough for US it
ought TO DC good enough for other sery-
ants of the church"
When one o. his secretaries, Mgr. Boo
cali, was caught by Leo yawning, he
said. impatiently: That tired feeling
again! I don't understand it..
Leo retired for the night at 9 O'Clock
but at that early hour his programme OF
work was not finished Oy any means.
He usually remained awake for many
hours. composing verses and debating
them to a secretary sitting by his bed
side.
His bedchamber was his faverite Tecep-
ton and workroom. When a person of
much Importance was received, the bed
was concealed behind curtains, Leo per-
suading himself that no one suspected
its presence.
CENSORSHIP OF NEWSPAPERS.
Though the Vatican has more than HOO
rooms, Leo never had dining room of
his own. Meals were served wherever he
happened TO be. in his bedroom, library,
sftting-room or throne-room-it was all
the same to him. Commander Sterbini,
the Grand Cup Bearer used to keep him
company at luncheon, dinner and supper.
He is p lover of art and gossip, and Leo
playfully called him the "only uncensored
newspaper he saw, for though RampO!la
would not admit it. nothing erept into the
daily press clipping reports submitted 70
the Pope that His Eminence had not seen
and approved Of
The Italian clerical papers are forbid
den by Rampolla to publish reports on the
Pope's state of health. At one time Mgr.
ANGEL. when reading a Roman daily TO
the Pope, skipped a paragraph dealing
with the Holy Fathers late spell of i'll
ness. Leo observed it and knocking the
paper from his hand with d fan, said:
Send me my valet; l see your eyes
are giving out
HE WAS PROUD OF HIS HEALTH.
If Leo prided himself on one thing more
than another il was his health. At a rule
he permitted his doctors to prescribe only
one kind of medicine; a good laugh. In
stead of bothering him with questions
about his liver they had to tell stories.
To Lapponi he often said. Don't get ex-
cited. doctor, we have Il better physician
than you-Divine Providence"
On one occasion Lapponi had forbidden
the Holy Father to speak longer than
Of ffcrr-tr
and. the time being up. the doctor began
to cough Leo gave him a nirouical look,
and. after he had finished. remarked:
you have a bad cold, Lapponi better
go to the Vatican druggist and get some
syrup at my expense"
In February, 1889 when the Pope was
about to be operated upon he asked Prof.
Mazzoni how he felt about Il. The pro-
fessor. fearing loss of reputation in case
the Pope did not survive, answered truth
fully enough: Rather shaky, Your Holi-
ness"
no matter" replied Leo. Il have cour-
added mo. for three; 90 ahead in Gods
name"
When Bishop Ireland called upon him
soon after his operation the kind-hearted
American could not restrain his tears.
Don't cry" said the Pope. as if address,
ing child. You are not old enough to
think Of death by good many years
HIS ONE BIT OF AMERICAN SLANG.
on another occasion. when the Pope had
10 refrain fran giving audiences. by order
of his physicians. he sent FOR the Tubuna
in the evening, and before opening the
paper said TO his secretary: IF it were
rot sinful 1 would say: What do you bet
that they have me half dead again7''
The anecdote that after certain sick
spell he addressed Cardinal Adeglia with
The words: Have you your little hammer
about you?'' is true. Both mis- valet ami
the bedroom attendants heard the remark.
The Pope referred to the silver hammer
with which the dead pontif's head is
touched when he is officially pronounced
dead.
When Bismarck died Leo called his
valet and said: Curious is It not? The
statesman-giant Of the century dies OF
q complication If diseases. while this
little body continues 10 resist attacks OF
iu-health"
IN 1855 influenza laid low most Of the
Cardinals. Leo impatiently exclaimed:
These young men always seem TO have
time 70 be III
II the Pope was IL his valet had 70 be
up ard about day and night He seldom
left the Vatican. and Leo was very CRATE
ful 70 him for his devotion. During the
operation in the winter OF lSs9 Pc held
the vessel 70 receive the blood ard as ne
kneIt at the side CT the bed the Pope saw
that his face was white with terror
Courage. little Pio whispered Leo.
they are cutting ne Up. rot you-"
THE PGPErS OLDEST CONVERSION
one day. when Papal NuBcio in Bros
sells. Leo was literally held up by a work
ilgrran in the street who insisted that he
must listen To what he had 20 say about
the damned Catholics
Very well" replied His Emi1ence. 7
listen And when you get through. take
these 100 francs. buy yourself new SUIT
OF clothes and come 70 my oHcs- There
YOU VIII listen 10 re even as row listen
10 YOU The workman kept the appoint
meut and left the Nuncio's office a true
son 81 the church
As a young man and priest. and even
as Bishop. Leo w5s very fond OF hunt
Ing. After becoming Pop h hunted Win
the net only. ard always generously re-
leased the birds he caught IN tie Vatican
gerden.
HIS KEEN APPRECIATION OF ART.
An Italian painter had secured the or
der for decorating the Gallery Of Candle
Iabri." and after he had been at work