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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 4, 24 January 1901, Page 7

About 40 years ago (says an exchange) could be seen in a cornchandler s shop in New Orleans a boy employed in labelling laoka which had been filled with corn. Although poor and sickly in appearance, he was so well liked by his employer and fellow-workert as to be generally called 'agreeable Little Jimmie. 1 He w»b the second son of an Irish family, and so poor were hiß parents that in order to increase the family income they were obliged to take him from school at an early age and send him to work. Jimmie grew and continued marking the sacks of corn, till one day his serious and pleasing manner attracted the attention of Father Duffo, a friend of his employer. ' How old are you, Jimmie f ' ' Eighteen years, Father.' ' What do you do here V 'As you see, I mark those sacks of corn in order to earn some money to help my family along.' ' You could not do better, my child, than help your parents but perhaps you could do it in some other way. Do you go to school ? How do you pass your evenings V Alas ! The thought of etudyinr in the evening had never entered Jimmie s head ; but after this conversation he began to continue hia studies with Father Duffo, although he had almost forgotten even the little he had previously learned. And what did he accomplish 1 After a while he became a self-made man, then Bachelor of Arts, then priest, then Bishop, then Archbishop, and to-day he is Cardinal Gibbons— an American prelate who exercises considerable influence, particularly among the working classes, who are justly proud of this man who came from their ranks. This Prince of the Church has preserved the same agreeable manner which distinguished him in his youth, and although he dislikes public meetings he does not hesitate debating any question which might benefit humanity. Some years ago an old man presented himself at the doors of the Congress of Baltimore, and with tears in his eyes asked to see his little employe. •Do you wish to see Cardinal Gibbons V he was as»ked. ' Call him Cardinal Gibbons as much as you will,' he replied, ' but to me he shall always be my Jimmie.' Hia Eminence at once recognised hii former employer and both shed tears of emotion and joy.