The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1918-01-31
Chronicled by ALLEN UPWARD

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about this gentleman? was all he
said.
Nothing except what he has told
me, that is to say, that he formerly
held a commission under the holy
father
True, I remember the name But
the count is entirely mistaken He is
perfectly at liberty to come here when
ever he pleases.'
81 thanked the good father for his
permission, which l did not fail to
communicate to Vescaro the next
time was in his house.
He appeared somewhat surprised
at it.
Thank you for your kind inten-
tions,' he said stifIiy, but all the same
| do not propose to avail myself of
Monsignor Perratti's permission. At
least l will think it over.
There was nothing more to be
done, and l did not refer to the sub
| ject again. Monsignor Perratti was
good enough to ask me, when he found
me in the museum few days after,
why my friend had not come with me,
but l put him off with an excuse.
Some weeks had passed, and had
forgotten all about the incident, when,
as l entered the museum one after
noon, was met by the worthy Jesuit
In state of great excitement
"'Ah, Excellency! he exclaimed, as
soon as he caught sight of me, / 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
Salvatierra has presented to the pope,
You must positively come and see
| them at once
Charmed by his Intelligence,
/ hasteu>a to place myself at his dis
posal. He led me a long way into a
part Of the building where l had never
before penetrated After going through
/ innumerable rooms, all filed with val
liable curiosities OF different kinds, we
arrived at last in a 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-
/ Aected 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 we're displayed sets of
coins and other interesting objects.
But my conductor would not let
me pause to examine them At the far
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 he appeared to
be setting in order.
"'It is the cardinal himself!' eX-
claimed Monsignor Perratti. We are
fortunate. He is just arranging the
seals
His Eminence, with whom ! was
already acquainted, turned around to
greet me as l came up, and kindly
offered to show me his famous col
lection. But how can l describe these
things to you? They we're 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!
81 thought I should never have torn
myself away from the gallery. But the
cardinal who was all goodness, prom
ised to meet me there again, and to
renew his lecture on these fascinating
gems. At the same time Monsignor
Perratti remarked:
You ought really to bring that
poor count of yours to inspect these
seals. Without doubt they would in
terest him as much as they do you
1.-The Count; who is that? inquired
Salvatierra, turning to me. explained
the allusion. His Eminence at once
became interested.
81 remember Count Vescaro very
we'll indeed he said in a tone OF
marked cordially. He 10 indeed man
TO whom these gems ought to be
shown. There is no more accomplished
Judge of such things in Rome. l
should like you to assure him that
such is my opinion, and that | shall
feel it a particular favor if he will
honor my little collection with visit
81 will give him your kind mes
sage, CARDINAL / replied. Without
doubt it will remove his last scruples.'
Very good; l shall expect to see
him here within the next few days
81 bowed and took my leave, feeling,
perhaps, little chagrin at the i'm
portance which appeared to be at
tached to Vescaro's opinion.
However, l found myself at his
house that night, and just before l
came away finally repeated the fiat
tering messages with which had been
charged by Cardinal Salvatierra. Yes
caro- listened with certain preoccu-
patton.
Salvatierra% he murmured,
thoughtfully. That is not name
which 1 remember.
1.-The cardinal did not say that you
were known to him personally, but
merely that he had heard Of your
reputation I explained.
Ives, but that was not what | was
thinking Of You have not told me
what the seals were like
Il saw that he was hesitating, and
at once commenced an eloquent de-