The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-08-16
A STORY OF Plus TX.

One day nearly ninety years ago,
a strange cortege was seen filing out
of the gates of the Castle of St. An
gelo in Rome. 1t had funereal aspect.
They were hooded brothers of pious
confraternity walking with a meas
ured pace, and chanting in a mourn
full cadence. They were followed by
a company of soldiers with fixed bay
onets, who surrounded a cart draped
in black. None of the hundreds who
stopped on the bridge of st. Angelo
to see the procession pass asked what
it meant. The ominous black was
but too eloquent. But many asked
who was the criminal that stood up
in the cart, his hands tied before
him, and his shaggy head cast down
in sad and penitent manner. 1t
was Gajetano, the most notorious
revolutionist, plotter against the state,
and outlaw of his time. He had just
been convicted of treason in the high
est degree, and was sentenced to be
executed. His appearance excited the
compassion of the bystanders. Just
as the cart reached the other side of
the bridge, a handsome young priest
emerged from one of the streets which
open into the square. He glanced at
the prisoner for an instant. People
noticed that he had lovely eyes, and
they seemed bathed in tears. Touched
with noble impulse he rushed into
the crowd and worked his way up to
the officer in charge, who was on
horseback. He begged for Gods sake
that the procession might be delayed
a few moments, until he could run up
to the Vatican and back. There was
something irresistible in those plead
ing eyes, and besides, the officer recog-
nized in the young priest one who
was seen frequently in the Apostolic
Palace. He promised acquiescence,
into the presence of the Sovereign
Pontiff, Leo XII, and, throwing him
self upon his knees, begged with an
earnestness almost supernatural for
the life of the criminal. The Pontiff
was moved, and committed the sent
ence of death into solitary imprison-
ment for life, in the fortress of ST.
Angelo. The clergyman flew, rather
than ran from the Vatican, in pursuit
of the procession. He soon overlook
it, for it moved slowly, as the officer
in command had promised, and pro-
duced the autograph order of the
Pope, forbidding the execution, and
remanding the captive to st. Angeles.
Life is dear. The criminal was crate
full to live at any cost, and would
have fallen down at the feet of his
deliverer to thank him. But he dis
appeared, and was next seen in the
vicinity of hospice for little boys,
called Tata Giovanni, with which he
was connected. He was known to the
boys as Padre Giovanni.
Years rolled by. Leo slept with his
predecessors, Gregory XVI succeeded
him, and he too paid the debt of
nature, and rested in st. Peters. The
glorious Pontificate of Plus TX had
been inaugurated but a few days
when a handsome priest, dressed in
the simple cassock and farraiuola of
the Roman clergy, presented himself
at the fortress of st. Angelo, and
asked if there were prisoner con-
fined therein called Gajetano. Yes, he
was answered, but the prisoner being
a solitary, could not be seen without
an express permission from the gov
ernor of the fortress.
The priest went away, and appeared
soon after with the necessary order.
Being ushered into the cell, the pris-
oner asked, what do you want?"
81 come" said the visitor, ito bring
you tidings of your mother"
"She still Invest" exclaimed the
captive, 20 God be thanked"
"Yes, she still lives, and she sent
me to console you, and tell you to
hope for better days"
"All the angels are not in heaven;
l see one before me-" said the peni-