The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-05-15
THE CHlLDREN'S HOUR.
THE YOUTH OF A GREAT MAN.

Toward the end of the Fifteenth
Century in a certain hilly country in
Italy, two little boys could be seen
herding swine. Every now and then
they would cross over to each other
and talk in whispers in very serious
way. Their master was a strict man
and when he caught the boys Sinking
their duties threatened them with pun
ishment and babe them remain out
longer, in fact, until dark. But no
sooner was the masters back turned
than they drove the cattle into the
barn and crept softly to their attic
room. Whispering all the while, they
packed their scant belongings into a
little bundle and crept softly out in
the world. The world to them was
Rome, and thither they went to look
for work. Peter soon was employed
as cooks assistant in a Cardinals
house, but the other, Michael by name,
was not SO fortunate. He wandered
from one place to another but always
came back in the evening to share
Peters room, hopeless and sad
Michael used to enter many churches
in his walks about Rome and the Won
derful paintings on the walls fasci-
mated him beyond expression. For
hours he would stand in front of a dec
grated wall until he knew every line
of the painting by heart.
One evening after Peter let him
secretly into his room, Michael who
had found some bits of charcoal, be-
gan to draw odd pictures on the white
washed walls. This form of amuse-
ment was his nightly occupation, even
after he had been employed to assist
the cook in the Cardinals house.
One day the Cardinal, while roam
ing through his house, CHANGED to en-
ter Peters and Michael's room, and
he was startled by the wonderful
drawing on the wall. He sent for
the two boys and said, who's work
is this?"
Il did them, Master but if you won't
punish me will try to rub them out"
BE not afraid of me-" answered the
Cardinal. Il like your work and l
mean to send you to a man who can
teach you the art of painting" Turn
ing to Peter he said, you, too, have
been good servant and l will ad-
vance you"
Have you guessed who the Michael
was who began his great life's work
in this humble patient way? Yes, you
are correct, it was no other than the
worlds greatest painter and sculptor,
Michael Angelo.
While Michael Angelo was sculptor
ing his great statue of Moses, you
know the one with the horns repre-
senting the rays of light radiating
from his countenance, friend who
thought himself an art critic was
watching him and he said: 81 think
your statue very fine, and like it very
much; but l think the nose too big.
If were you l would chop off little
of it."
Michael Angelo raised his chisel
and mallet and off came a piece of
marble and fell to the floor.
How do you like it now?" asked the
artist.
Nov it is fine, and wouldn't touch
it again"
"Have no fear" said Michael, land
be assured that didn't touch the nose
before. l had piece of marble in my
hand and let it fall to test your crit
ical ability. l, too, know when a work
is right and l didn't propose spelling
this statue that has cost me SO much
time and effort, for a whim of yours"
After that the critic wisely held his
peace, and the Moses statue is still
one of the worlds masterpieces in
marble. ha