The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-19

months Washington was talking about hi
eloquence and ST. Patrick's was crowded
whenever he preached. Nearly all TIKI
Catholic representatives Of foreign countries
took pews IN the church. Catholic members
Of Congress who seldom went TO church at
al, went to 81. Patrick's to hear the young
orator. and a large part Of the congregation
every Sunday was made up OF Protestants
Classmates Of Father Keane predicted that
he would soon be q Bishop.
Meanwhile Father Kain was laborinE in
the little village Of Harper's Ferry in West
Virginia. In his little church up on Boil
var Heights, overlooking Jefferson's Rock
the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. ne
preached to congregation Of villagers and
farmers. He gained a reputation for elo-
quenoe. too, but, for a time. II did not get
beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, across
His was a hard missionary life at this
time. His parish covered about forty
square miles: he had to say mass at times
in farmhouses and often his sermons were
addressed to half dozen farmers and their
families. They were as carefully prepared
and as eloquently delivered. however. as
II he had audiences OF foreign Ambassa-
dors. United States Senators and members
OF Congress.
At this period all who knew the young
priest believed that they would 60 on as
aKeane First .Kain Second During
the next ten years their places remained
the same, except that Father Kain's reputa-
ton for eloquence spread through the
towns Of West Virginia and part Of Vir-
ginia. He was called on to deliver lectures
Protestant, 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.
About twelve years after the ordination
of Father keane and Father Kahn, Bishop
Whelan OF Wheeling, W. Va, died The
name Of Father Keane OF Washington was
at once mentioned as his probable sue
cessor and his old college companions said
TO one another: Il told you 80; keone
first, always .
After a time II was r1lmored that Father
Kahn was also fsvorably thought Of at
Rome and that both names were on the
fists sent in by the. Bishops Of theprovince
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 / on Keane. first.
After a delay OF several months cable
despatch 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 Keane
had been chosen. The odds were still
two to one thaf !, was kesne Tst; but
il was found that the Rev. John Joseph
Kahn OF Harpers Ferry was to be the new
Bishop Of Wheeling.
1t was a shock TO the old classmates Of
the rivals. The positions held for twenty
years or more were reversed. "Kain
second had become -kain first and
.Keane first had become sKeane secon nd"
After the first surprise. the question was
general-will II continue, or Will keane
vet pass the new Bishop A few years later
H. L. H..
announcement from Rome that 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 college
days
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
anacs and neither faster than the o.her.
his diocese TO become rector Of the Catholic
University. II looked as u he had retired
from the race permanently and interest In
the careers Of the rivals decreased. There
was little excitement, therefore when news
been appointed Archbishop of St. Louis,
1T is Kahn. first. to the end. was the
general comment
This opinion was strengthened when
Bishop keane gave UP the rectorship OF
the Catholic University and was called 70
Rome to reside there. II was said than that
he had fallen into disfa vor at Rome and
would pass the remainder Of his days within
the shadow Of St. Peters-one OF the many
Bishops there without dioceses.
Great was the surprise, therefore, when
two years ago the Pope appointed Bishop
Keane Archbishop OF Dubuque. His ad-
mirep gave him a great reception when
he reached this country and once more the
future OF Keane and Kahn became q topic
Of lively interest among the older clergy
(Which win got the Cardinals hat hrstf
II Il TO be Kahn frst. or Keane irstf was
yst-