The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE CARDINAL AND THE IMMIGRANTS

CARDINAL CUSHING WAS GOING TO VISIT AN IMMIGRANT (MEXICAN-AMERICAN)
GRADE SCHOOL CLASS. THE NUN WAS GETTING THE CHILDREN READY SO THEY
COULD SHOW THE CARDINAL THAT THEY COULD SPELL ENGLISH. NOW ONE BOY
NAMED JOSE WOULD BE FIRST. SISTER SAID, "JOSE, SAY C-A-T, CAT."
JOSE REPEATED, "C-A-T, CAT."
SHE TOLD PEPI TO SAY, "D-O-G, DOG."
PEPI REPEATED, "D-O-G, DOG."
THE THIRD BOY'S NAME WAS JESUS. SISTER SAID, "NO, WE CAN'T CALL YOU
JESUS; YOU WILL BE SAMUEL FOR THE CARDINAL. SAY R-A-T, RAT."
JESUS SAID, "R-A-T, RAT."
"GOOD," SISTER SAID.
SOON IT WAS TIME FOR THE CARDINAL TO COME. WHEN HE ARRIVED, SISTER
SAID, "SHOW THE CARDINAL YOU CAN SPELL ENGLISH." JOSE GOT UP AND
SAID, "MY NAME IS JOSE. I'M GOING TO SPELL CAT. C-A-T SPELLS CAT."
PEPI GOT UP AND SAID, "MY NAME IS PEPI. I'M GOING TO SPELL DOG.
D-O-G SPELLS DOG." THEN JESUS GOT UP AND SAID, "MY NAME IS SAM.
I'M GOING TO SPELL SCHENECTADY."
"OH, JESUS, YOU CAN'T SPELL THAT!" SHOUTED THE NUN.
"OH, HELL, JUST LET HIM TRY," RETORTED THE CARDINAL.

Submitter comment: TOLD AS A TRUE STORY. INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM FATHER WILLIAM
CHILDS, AGE ABOUT 35, THE PRODUCER OF A RADIO PROGRAM, AT A
PERSONAL MEETING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNTINGTON WOODS

Date learned: 11-10-1968