The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-03-23

the Catholic church's existence, the
members of the sacred college, the
diplomats accredited to the holy see
from the most powerful nations In the
world, and the highest dignitaries of
the pontifical court ever followed q
second class funeral car to the grave.
On the other hand, 1t was also con-
strued in Rome as the highest pos
sible recognition on the part of their
respect for supreme pontiff, who,
probably in the most painful moment
of his life, followed consistently the
policy that no member OF his family
should ever profit by a penny of the
church's funds, because of the posi-
ton which he had been called to fill,
and that no appointments to posi-
tons in the vatican should ever be
made for other reason than deserved
merit.
The death of the eldest sister OF his
holiness revealed the fact that each
and every one of the remaining five
sisters of the one brother, Is working
just as hard and just as simply to
earn living as they did the day their
brother left Venice to enter the vati-
can, which he has never since left.
Angelo Sarto, now seyenty-six, who
until twenty years old. was a carpen-
ter, has risen to be postmaster at the
little town Of Grazie. where he re-
ceives his fifty cents day from the
government. On this he lives, togeth-
er with his wife, with whom he fell
in love while doing his military SER
ment the service was completed.
Their two children, Clara and Adel-
aide, are now both married and no long
err have need of parental help. On
the other hand, the fifty cents day Is
| little for the aged couples needs. Yet,
when recently Angelo stood In dire
need of little extra financial help,
instead of asking 1t from his papal
brother, he appealed to the Italian
government for small subsidy as a
reward for his long years of faithful
service and the government gladly
i lent willing ear, He received $3i
In which he was so badly IN need.
The two unmarried sisters, Anna
and Maria, with the niece, Gilda, con
tinued to live at Rome, Just outside
the vatican, where they can admins
ter from time to time to the wants Of
their papal brother. Teresa, aged
4 seventy-three, Is married to G.. B
Parolin, at Cayasco. Both do manual
work to make living and their son
Monsignor Parolin, is the only person
in any way connected with the family
who has ever received help from
] Pope Plus. He Is now arch-priest at
| Pessagno, but he received the ap
pointment only when he merited it.
Lucia, aged sixty-five, is the wife OF
the sacristan OF the church at Sal
zano, who serves the church as faith
fully In his humble capacity as his
distinguished brother-in-law does In
the chair of st. Peter. The remaining
sister, Antonio, aged sixty-seven, is the
wife of francesca de Bel, and lives
at Salzano, where, in common with
the wives of nearly all Italian peas
ants, she labors just as hard as hel
husband to make their meager ends
meet.
4 While, however, great credit has
been given to Pope Plus, for this con
sistent attitude towards his family
his holiness himself has never failed
to make it known that also great cred
it is due to the family and proud,
declares to every one of his ole
friends who visits him at the vatican
that If he has never given penny o.
the church funds to a single membe,
of his family, 1t has been for the very
simple reason that .not a single mem
Der of his family has ever asked hin
to do SO.