The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-04-14

"My dear archdeacon," said the bishop,
laughing, pardon my mystifcation; this
is the friend with whom spent day or
two on my last visit to this neighborhood,
when you really thought you had lost me
altogether; though, if you had told me
was to have the pleasure of meeting him at
your table to-day, Imight, perhaps, have
let you into the secret"
But, my dear Bolton,'' said the host
he had dropped the Mr.. at once, and for
ever" why did you not tell me that you
knew his lordship ?-eh? ?"
Harry laughed, and got little confused
again but the bishop answered the ques-
tion for him, before he had time to frame
an ineligible reply.
go, that's long story but it was no
mystery of Mr.. Bottoms, be assured. l am
afraid, indeed it win tell rather better for
him than for me; but promise you the
explanation, some day." continued the
bishop, good-humoredly, "when we have
nothing better to talk about" The arch
deacon took the hint, and turned the con-
versation. Another guest or two Joined
the party; dinner succeeded, and passed off
much as such affairs usually do. The
bishop, although he did not address much
of his conversation directly to Bolton, took
care to make him feel at his ease and Mr..
Luttridge, who sat next to him, became re-
markably friendly--was quite surprised
that he had not heard Of him before, being
in fact, quite near neighbor-only nine
miles-nothing at all in that part of the
country--should ride over TO call on him
one of the first days he could spare-and, in
fact, said what became him to the bishops
friend and protege.
Whatever curiosity might have been felt
on the subject by the rest of the company,
it was not until they had taken their depart
ure that the bishop thought proper to ex-
plain to Bolton and the archdeacon the
circumstances which led to his paying an
incognito visit to the former. He had only
lately been appointed to the diocese, and
was therefore personally known to but few
ofhis clergy. The archdeacon and himself
however, were old college acquaintances,
and he had accepted an invitation to spend
a few days with him, at the time of his
casual meeting with Harry Bolton. Being
averse at all times TO any kind of ceremony
or etiquette, which he could reasonably
dispense with, it had been arranged that
the archdeacon's carriage should meet him
ut B, to which place his own had con-
veyed him. Upon his arrival in the town
somewhat before the hour appointed, he
had, according to his custom, walked out
quietly to make himself acquainted with
the localities, and had unconsciously passed
some hours in exploring some ruins at a
little distance.
Meanwhile, the archdeacon, not so
punctual as his diocesan, drove up to the
hotel door in hot haste, considerably too
late for his appointment, and was saluted
with the pleasant information that his
lordship had been there, and was gone on
these two hours-for his previous orders
had been duly obeyed, and the episcopal
equipage, with a portly gentleman inside
who sustained the dignity of his position
as chaplain very carefully, had really
rolled away on its road homeward. The
archdeacon doubted, but mine host was
positive; and strengthened his position by
the assertion that his lordship had said he
was going to Bircham rectory, piece of
intelligence picked up from the servants,
with exactly enough truth in it to do mis-
chief. OFF went the archdeaeon again, an
noyed at his own dilatoriness; and great
was HE CONSERVATION ON reaching home to
find no bishop and great was the bishops
surprise, on returning at last to the hotel
to find no archdeacon; and great the con-
fusion throughout the Kings Arms the
landlord throwing the blame upon the
walters, and the walters upon each other.
Post-horses to S., which was within a
short three miles of the archdeaoon's rec
tory, were ordered at once. But, alas
after many delays and apologies, none were
to be had almost every quadruped in the
town was engaged in taking parties home
from the opening Of the Independent col
lege. The bishop was not a man to make
difficulties SO, leaving his only remaining
servant to await any remedial measures
which the archdeacon might take when he
discovered his error, and to give us an in
telligible account of his movements, he
himself, without mentioning his intention
TO any other person, walked down to the
coach Office at the Swan, paid his fare, and
became an inside passenger By the Regu-
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