Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-07-09

connofsseur. Unfortunately he sufTers
from q morbid fear that you might
recent his coming here. on account
OF political reasons
The Jesuit gave a benevolent
smile
Surely you know US better than
that. Signor. We poor priests are not
so uncharitabIe But what is the name
Of your friend?'
Count Gulielmo Vescaro
'Ah!' He gave q perceptible
start. and regarded me curiously for
q moment DO you know anything
about this gentleman? was all he
said
Nothing except what ne has told
me, that is to say, that he formerly
held a commission under the holy
father
True, remember the name But
the count is entirely mistaken He is
perfectly at liberty to come here when
ever he pleases
4 thanked the good fathe for his
permission. which / did not fail TO
communicate to Vescaro the next
time / was in his house.
He appeared somewhat surprised
at 1t.
Thank you for your kind inten-
tons. he said stifiy. but all the same
do not propose to avail myself Of
Monsignor Perratti's permission At
least / will think 1t over
There was nothing more to be
done. and / did not refer to the sub
good enough to ask me, when he found
me In the museum a few days after.
why my friend had not come with me,
but put him on with an excuse.
Some weeks had passed, and had
forgotten all about the incident, when.
as | entered the museum one after
noon, / was met by the worthy Jesuit
in q state of great excitement.
'Ah, Excellency!' he exclaimed. as
soon as he caught sight OF me, i have
something to tell you which will give
you the greatest delight A new treas
ure has just arrived; it Is collection
of ancient seals. some of them most
exquisitely engraved. which Cardinal
SalvatierTa has presented to the pope.
You must positively come and see
them at once.
Charmed by his intelligence,
fastened to place myself at his dis
posal. He led me long way into a
| part OF the building where had never
before penetrated After going through
innumerable rooms, all filled with val
liable curiosities of different kinds, we
arrived at last in long deserted gal
lery with bare walls. to which light
was admitted by means OF a skylight
overhead The obscurity of the gallery
was further relieved by the entire end
wall being made mirror. which re
fiected back the light from the roof
| All down this gallery were ranged
tables, supporting the cases with glass
lids usually seen in museums. and In
these cases were displayed sets Of
coins and other interesting objects.
But my conductor would not lei
me pause TO examine them. At the fal
end OF the gallery-whose apparent
length WAS increased by the mirror
| have described perceived man
standing In front of one OF the cases
the contents OF which ne appeared t
be setting in order.
lit is the cardinal himself ex
claimed Monsignor Perratti. We arr
fortunate. He is just arranging tbs
seals.
His Eminence, with whom | wal
already acquainted. turned around t.
greet me az | came up. and kindly
offered to show me his famous col
lection. But how can | describe These
things to you? They were indeed price
less. One In particular. an onyx en-
graved with the head Of Vespasian
was one OF those objects for the sake
Of which one commits murders!
But my dear ambassador! Yov
terrify me! | begin to fear tragedy
1t is nothing. You do not understand
the feelings OF connoisseur Figure
to yourself how it would be II yot
were to behold some bulldog of unex
ampled ferocity. which you despaireC
OF ever possessing"
| smiled but said nothing. To havt
attempted to undeceive him as to mi
passion for bulldogs would have beer
to forfeit his friendship for ever: and
besides, he would not have belieyee
me.
The ambassador continued:
y thought ] should never have tori
myself away from the gallery. But tn,
cardinal, who was all goodness, prom
Used to meet me there again. and Il
renew his lecture on these fascinating
gems. At the same tire Monsignol
Perratu remarked:
You ought really to bring tina
poor count OF yours to inspect thes,
seals. without doubt they would in
terest him at much as they do you
THE Count: who is that7' inquired
salvatierxa, turning to me- explained
the allusion. His Eminence at ono,
became interested.
- remember Count Yescaro yer,
well indeed he said in \ tone o
marEed cordially. He L. indeed q MAI
to whom these gems ought TO b,
shown There Ia no more accomplished
Judge Of such things In Rome.
shouid like you to assure him tina
J such Is my opinion. and that shat
feel 1t q particular favor If he vii
: honor my little collection with visit
Il win give him your kind mes
sage. Cardinal ] replied .Withou
doubt 1t viii remove his last scruples