Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-07-05
The Bishop OF the Diocese.

IT was one of the pleasantest mornings
of the seasOn-so pleasant, that you would
scarcely have believed that the few
months of an American summer had vet
flown by.
The sky was cloudless the sun shone
out bright and warm the air was filled
with the songs of birds and hum of
myriads of insects. Indeed, the hill to
the left of the main avenue of the Navy
Yard presented to the eye the ever-vary-
ing shades of green, unmingled with the
sprinkle of yellow, which warns you that
autumn has begun.
Such was the morning when the yard
bell tolled to "Dirine Sc, vice. IA
At its sound, the entrance-doOrs to the
several residences of the officers and en-
ployes slowly opened to give egress to
silent groups who directed their course to
the little chapel to the left of the big
ship-house. As the mute groups passed
by the hill, they cast furtive glances at
the cottage thereon, whose. gardens,
crowded with flowers Of various tints,
sparkled in the heavy dew like glittering
all he surveyed, there dwelt Commodore
Chauncey, Commander-in-Chief of the
Naval Station, New York.
q
tent man, made so by discipline and the
respect due to age-bygones.
Commodore Chauncey was a stout,
fussy, fierce man, in stiff stock. blue
coat, and buff vest with gilt buttons,
strictly uniform, and not diverging In the
least from the naval general order to that
effect. When he condescended to inspect
the yard. he did so in company of subor-
dinate officers with meek faces, to whom
Commodore Chauncey gave his orders
with the grandeur and ferocity due to
Commodore Chauncey's rank.
The bell continued to toll till all the
groups had disappeared In the entrance to
the chapel, when tall orderly was seen
to enter the residence of the commander
in-chief, who soon emerged therefrom,
accompanied by Mrs. Commodore Chaun-
cey and the little Chaunceys of both sexes.
This dignified group brought to mind
the Sunday morning scenes In Spanish
cities, as they were before English and
French customs had innovated. Then, in
going to mass, the small fries of the fam
| ily formed the procession, which was
brought up by the paterfamilias and his
better half.
When the Chauncey family entered the
chapel, a deadlike silence prevailed. The
chaplain, In snowy gown, awaited Ms
commanding officers nod Of appreciation
TO commence the service. That given, he
drew from his pocket slip Of paper and
read: 80 ~
''By order of the bishop of this diocese
divine service will be performed In thil
chapel on Wednesday next"
He was about to proceed, when loud
''Ahemr' from the direction Of the com
modore's pew startled the congregation
There stood Chauncey, with face red
dened by anger.
SPY whose order, sir, you said divine
service would be performed in this chspe
on Wednesday next?'
"Sir," replied the chaplain, In tremu
lous voice, 'by order of the bishop of thi
| diocese"
"The bishop of this diocese be hangedl'
roared Chauncey. ''I'll let you know
sir, Pm the bishop of this diocese, ant
divine service shall not be performed her
on Wednesday next. Go on, sir-go OF
with the service!" ~
1t was remarked that the commodor
was the meekest In prayer, and the loud
est in the "Amer."
Commodore Chauncey's lease Of Life ha
expired. Requieseat in paeei