The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1913-04-17

the most human of all the
popes.''
That remark, justified by countless
incidents brought to light since that
time, affords key to the character of
the pOntiff whose reign in many re-
spects has been one Of the most re-
markable in the history Of the church.
In the first few days Of the reign of
Pope Plus it became apparent that he
would not conform to the rigid Ell
quette of the Vatican. He had been
elected to the highest ecclesiastical Of
flee contrary to his expectations and
wishes, and he disliked the Formally
which ages of precedent had imposed
upon his station.
1t is related that delegation of
monks Of some order sought an audi
ence with the pope. According to Vati
can etiquette as observed by other pom
tiffs only cardinals were supposed to
sit in the presence Of the pope And
if his holiness invited one of lower
looked upon as apromise of cardinal
ate.
Put Visitors at Ease.
AS soon as the monks entered Pope
Plus asked them to be seated Know
ing the rule of etiquette in such cases,
they hesitated, hardly knowing what
to do
You do not, suppose, expect me to
draw your chairs forward for you, do
you" inquired the pope good natured-
ly. The abaShed monks then took
their seats and proceeded to make
known their Wishes
Before the pope's love of simplicity
was thoroughly understood members
Of the papal court were somewhat
shocked to observe that when his holi-
ness wished to know the time he drew
forth small nickel watch attached to
a little black cord. Haste was made
to present the pontiff with a magnif-
cent gold watch, supposed by the don
ors to be in keeping with the station
of the pope.
TO the amazement Of the givers Pope
Plus gently waved the gift aside.
LAS long as I live he said, II shall
wear my little nickel watch. It was
gift from my MOTHER
The dislike of his holiness for dem
constructions at solemn functions was
demonstrated in the winter of 1904
The pope had finished the celebration
Of solemn pontificate at St. Peters,
AS he was being raised on the portable
throne, to be taken back to the Vati
can palace, Il crowd of enthusiasts
started Il demonstration in his honor
Forgetting his dignity for the moment,
the pope, wearing his triple crown
promptly stopped the demonstration
by gesticulating vigorously and crying:
'Stop that: 1t is absolutely forbid
den to applaud"
Wouldn't Use an Automobile.
The European representative of a
great American automobile concern
once conceived the idea of associating
the name of Pope Plus X. with GER
tain things in the nature of advertising
for the house. BY some intelligent
maneuvering the representative sue
ceeded in getting into conversation
with one of the superior prelates of
the papal household.
This done, he discreetly announced
that one Of the company's finest high
powered cars was at the pope's dis
posal for his trips through the Vati-
can gardens and that the firm would
ask nothing but the pope's blessing in
return.
The representatives hopes of obtain
ing some striking publicity were sud
denly blasted. however, when Pope
Plus cut short the negotiations by an
nouncing that he did not consider a
motorcar vehicle becoming an eccle-
siastic.
The great compassion and humanity
Of Pope Plus were illustrated by an
incident that happened while he was
patriarch of Venice. Only a few days
after he had been elevated to that
position, with the rank Of cardinal, he
met in the streets Of Venice a young
woman carrying baby.
Helped Fallen Woman.
The young mother looked so weary
and Respondent that the patriarch stop
ped her and made inquiries. She told
him, it is said, of having failed to find
work and Of having led sinful life,
no other way of supporting herself and
her child being apparent to her.
Instantly the patriarch opened his
purse and thrust several coins into the
sobbing woman's hands.
Call mothers are good" he said. land
no queen is greater than a good
MOTHER
The woman, it is related, knew by
his garb that he was priest, but was
not aware that he was prince of the
church.
Joked About Name.
Giuseppi Sarto, the family name Of
Pope Plus X. once prompted the pom
tiff to make joke. A visitor named
Schneider had been shown into the