Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-04-15

1uilouo gesture, Uut TtSbIdtuou uhuSoll W
an effort. 1t was not the first time his ap
pearance had caused mistrust, and, humil
iating as the experience was, he reflected
that the girl had only done her duty to hel
employers by making him wait on the
doorstep instead Of permitting him to en-
ter the house. His patience was speedily
rewarded, for a few moments later the door
was again opened, and the servant reap
peared, followed by lady who was evi
IDENTIFY his friends wife. The Bishop
made polite bow, and took off his billy
cock hat.
"Mrs. presume" he said, men
tioning her name.
eyes. What is it, my man 9' returned
the lady, in brisk, patronizing tone. .
81 haven't the pleasure of knowing you, -
began the Bishop.
mo, you haven't" Interrupted his
friends wife with decision.
"But know your husband. I am the
Bishop of X" said he, reddenlng slightly
"May come in and speak to you ?' he ad-
ded, humbly.
''No. Certainly not! The Bishop of X,
indeedp' scoffed his friends wife.
''Of course, ifyou don tbelieve me-"
interposed the Bishop, for the first time
losing his temper.
Come! No impertinence, my man, !"
,said the lady, catching him up sharply.
s'Shut the door, Marie; he is going to use
bad language
The unfortunate Bishop wiped the per-
spiration from his brow with the cuff of
his coat, and gasped for breath. Things
were gradually looking blacker than ever,
for, as his friend was away, he did not
know who else to apply to. To make mat
ters worse, he was already in debt to the
cabman and had no means of paying him.
The poor Bishop was seized with kind of
flenzied nervousness, which did not i'm
prove his reasoning powers. In fact, his
agitation was so great that he could not at
that moment recall to mind the address of a
single friend. The truth was, he knew scarce
ly anybody, though, had he been calmer he
might possibly have thought of more than
one source from whence relief could be OBJ
tanned. The only expedient, however,
which occurred to him was to drive to a
celebrated club of which he had been a
country member for many years, though
thought it possible that the hall porter
might remember him.
Here again, unfortunately, he was DOOM
his acquaintance had been dead half doz-
en- years. Driven by sheer desperation to
rack his brain severely, the Bishop evolved
two imaginary addresses of friends, and
spent ano' her hour or two in seeking them.
Meanwhile the cabman was getting surly
and suspicious, and, on being finally order
ed to drive toward the city, he growled
through the trap in the roof his fervent
desire to see the color of his fares money
The shop took no notice of his imperti-
nence, Or affected not to do so. As fact,
he was fairly at his wit s end, and had only
bid the man to drive him eastward, because
he did not know what else to do. Absurd
and ridiculous as the situation may appear,
it was very serious IN all conscience. For
a respectable, steady-going prelate to find
himse drifting aimlessly about the me-
tropolis in cab which he could not dis
charge, friendless, hungry, overcome with
fatigue and agitation, and attired in cheap
tailor's suit bel nging to somebody else
which made him look like provincial
comedian down in his luck, was an ordeal
OF the most trying nature.
While the Bishop was being driven down
Regent street, revolving in his mind a
scheme for obtaining nights lodging by
voluntarily handing himself over to the po-
lice to do what they liked with him, bis at
tention was attracted by a familiar face and
figure sauntering along in the full glare of
q brilliantly lighted shop window. The
Bishop could scarcely believe his eyes, for
there was rector from his own diocese
minus his white tie, and with no sign of
clergyman about him, strolling up the
street swinging a cane and staring in de-
cidedly unclerical manner at every young
woman he met The Bishop had from time
received several hints that the conduct of
this divine was not as exemplary as it
should be, and it now seemed to him that
there was some ground for the accusation.
The Bishops cab happened to come to q
standstill just by the curb, in consequence
of block in the traffic. and Simultaneous
ly the volatile clergyman bestowed a most
unmistakable wink upon a passing servant
girl. This was more than the Bishop
could stand. His righteous Indignation
completely obliterated all self-cons ious-
ness, and on the spur of the moment, he
leaned from the cab and confronted the un-
conscious offender.
"Mr. Bands what is the meaning of all
this2" he exclaimed, in his most preten-
tious tone.
''Bless my soul! Is that you. my lord ?'
calculated Mr. Bands falling back step
or two, and staring in amazement
81 observe you have abandoned your
clerical costume, Mr. Bands" said the
Bishop, with cutting sarcasm.
$50 has your lordship," said Mr.. Bands,
perfectly abashed.
"Good-good gracious! II forgot, ;"
exclaimed the Bishop, suddenly growing
confused, and glancing down at himself
with dismay. "I-I see you are astonish-
ed, Mr.. Bands"
swell, my lord, should be if were not
aware how mi leading appearances often
are," said Mr.. Bands sententiously.
ell assure you Mr.. Bands, tnat this
dr. ess is purely accidental. said the Bish-
op eagerly. and he hurriedly related the
misadventure that bad befallen him.
''That is precisely my own case, my
lord," responded Mr. Bands, unblushing-
ly.
The Bishop started, and looked very
hard at Mr.. Bands, but the latter bore the
scrutiny without f,nching. Perhaps the
sudden recollection that Mr.. Bands might
prove the friend in need, rendered his lord
ship extra charitable. At all events, he
merely observed:
''It is excessively awkward. l have not
farthing of money; l can find none ofmy
friends, and have no means of getting any
other clothes than those l stand up in''
"You had better come with me, my
lord" said Mr.. Bands, cheerily. sMy
tailor lives close at hand, and OF o word
from me he will be only too glad to let you
have anything you require"
Let US go, by all MEANS" added the
Bishop, with heartfelt thankfulness
81 think, my lord" remarked Mr..
Bands, meaningly, when they were seated
side by side in the cab, that as appearan-
ces, are rather against both of us. we had
better agree to say nothing about this
meeting"
"Perhaps so," said the Bishop.
A CARD FROM GEN. EAKLY.-General
Jubal Early, publishes the following card
in the Richmond State of Friday:
To the Editor of the State:
Some one has enclosed to me communi-
cation clipped from newspaper, which is
headed: IAN Interesting Letter from the
Wife of Gen. Early.
To prevent all misconception, especially
on the part of my lady friends, wish to
state that she is lady whose acquaintance
have never yet made, and when do find
her she will not make herself known to the
n1hlic thrnu Uh the nawcno porc