The Man Who Sat In The Pope's Chair

Hon. Wm. F. Ferry contributes an interestmg paper ot' "Early Kiminisceuce" to the Michigan Lumberman, in the course ot' which he niakes mention of Hiram Pierson, a Chicago gentleman, who entered timbfTt'd land in Michigan, and whoui Mr. Ferry calis "an eccentric, rash man, as well as adventurous speculator.'1 He says : Í have described Hiram. Pierson as an eccentric, rush man, and will give hre an iustan'je or two to Ilústrate these eharacteristics. The result of his speculationa at Chicago had furnished hint witfa an abundunee of means and an iuclination to make use of a portiou ot' it in a visit to the old world. He journeyed through Europe in princèly style, having irwhis train a set of Jarks as reckless as iiimsülf, iu fact a fair showing of Young America let loose. After leaving a Spauish port for a trip up the Mpditerranean, the company settted themelves in the rnain cabin of the steaiuer, enjoying their cigart, when the captain notitied them that smoking tbere was hot to be allowed. Pierson asked if he was thu owner ot' the craft " No." "Are you authorized to charter her for this voyage 'f " " Ye6." "At what pricei'" Tho captain nauied the sum. "Make out a f uil charter to Hiram Pierson, and he:e is the money." "Xoiv, boys, go on with your smoking." ! Soon the captain returned with the charter fully lUiitk out, received his money, and " My lord ! shall I direct the faro to be collected friirn tho pasaengers not of your company ? " " No, eir," said Pierson ; " intorm them that I dispense with that ■ cereuiony on i his trip." His tompanions dubbed him "Lord Pierson," and the passenge ra as well as the ofticers of the snip supposert him to be truly somt' priuciuy spendibrift away trom home on his mujüle. In linmc he was arrestad and fined a thousand dollars for sac:ilegipusly seaing biingelf in tho chair of St. Peter, and expressud surprise at the small fine demandud as the penalt}', for he " woud rather have piid ten thousand dolíais thwn to lcave Eorne without that experince." Ho had to leave Iiorne sudami