The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-05
THE BISHOPS SIN.


erton and Tauphie was very broad church
man. Had he not boldly opposed the Tractarian
movement in his Oxford days! Did he not re-
Gently extend the episcopal @gis to Major the
Cityroad devil-dodger, when that converted
reprobate pitched his tent within the very
shadow of the Palace and preached eternal
damnation in the choicest cockneyl Indeed,
the Bishop had been known to smile on Mr..
Sturgeon, and beam benevolently upon the met
ropolitan Noodles and suburban Sankey's. The
curates Of his diocese were not interdicted from
cricket nor his rectors from lawn-tennis; and
am not in position to contradict the rumor that
the Bishop has been known to cut into rubber
for silver threepennies, and in the shadow of
a stage-box once saw Mr.. Irving play "Shyloek."
Indeed, when Julian, his only son, was at
Elton, his father rejoiced more at his winning the
public school rackets than in his carrying off the
Prince Consorts prize for foreign languages and
when, up at Orie he found his way into the eight,
the Bishops JOY was so great as to be at mo-
mentS positively undignified He liked his son
to be in the best set in town; he cheerfully paid
entrances and subscriptions to various clubs, the
names of which were certainly unfamiliar to
him, but which Julian assured him were 'neces-
saries' even for Bishops infant rich and
honorable alliance for Julian began to be very
definite object in the episcopal eye, and conse-
quently he highly approved of Julians country
house visits; his CHEEKY letters, containing cata-
logues of the notabilities with whom he had
danced, or shot, or PLAYED charades, were balm
to his soul; and at breakfast over an account of
the previous evenings dinner and Dance the
sacerdotal spirits sensibly revived. Nominally,
Julian was going to the bar and
duly ate dinners, or rather sulked
in dignihed silence at the Middle
Temple 6 o'clock mess in full evening dress, and
refused the proffered joint on the ground that
he never ate boiled mutton in the afternoon.
Naturally enough this statement irr1tated his
poor brethren, especially as it was Julian's won't
to bolt to the Orleans for dinner the moment
grace was said.
Bearing these facts in mind, it will be under
stood that the Bishop was rather hurt when it
came to his ears that his son had been frequently
seen at Mrs. Gideon Blewsby;s small and
earlies" in Cockerton Crescent, Bayswater, and
had subsequently been observed at St James's
Hall, on Monday evenings, apparently enwrap-
ped in the strains of Spohr quartet, in com
pany with pretty little girl known to all Bays
water as Kitty Blewsby. When finally Miss
Crabbie told him that the pair had been noticed
shopping at Whiteley's he could stand it no
longer.
at won't do my boy,n said the Bishop one day
''She may be all you say-probably is; but then
you know Blewsby is a solicitor-attorneys we
used to call them-and Dissenter, and l don't
like it; besides the Crabbies talk about it so.'
my dear father, said Julian somewhat hotly
Miss Crabbie is a member of the Browning
Society," and an Esoteric Buddhist, and all the
rest of it; but she's frowsy old gossip for all
that and Miss Blewsby is a charming natural
girl, and worth fifty of Crabbie, and"
The Bishop looked aghast.
Besides you know, going to the bar one must
make friends with solicitors, and her father has
lots of work to give fellow
Even the professional plea didn't soften the
Bishop; and he wrinkled his brow and his apron
both usually smooth-as he said Indignantly,
taking his bedroom candle, 'Preposterous per
fectly monstrous! I'm ashamed of your
Why Julian rushed upstairs after his father
had retired, put on fresh tie, and dashed into
hanson, 1 don't quite know; but in quarter of
an hour he was laughing with Kitty Blewsby.
Dear little Kitty-riante, maidenly, and witch
ing-looked up with frank delight in her lovers
eyes flor OF course it is secret now that they
were lovers at this tne), and flushed as she
listened to Julans somewhat irreverent account
of his recent interview.
you do believe me- Kittyl" he pleaded and
she looked grave and said nothing; but she GER
tainly danced with him. And all Cockerton
Crescent chuckled over it; a young person in
book muslin and a pink sash sang, %, that we
were Maying,' with evident meaning, between
the polkas and Julian sat next to Kitty at the
sit-down supper, and pulled crackers with her,
and carved game pie; there was no fnesse about
Cockerton Crescent, assure you.
Miss Esoterc Buddhist Crabbe told the
Bishop all about it, and there is no doubt the
Rt. Rev. Everton and Taupie was very cross
graphs thatappeared in the weekly journals were
quite accurate But it is quite false las l am
instructed to say that Julian literally cut the
episcopal apron strings with carving knife.
STILL L admit the interview, and also am bound
to acknowledge its stormy character.
The succeeding week was a fierce one for
everybody concerned The Bishop roundly
slated three rectors and dean, and sacked
new curate who had presumed to adopt SOU
southwestern position during the collection; Ju-
liam had bad week at Sandown, naturally
enough, for he. had only backed horses whose
names began with k; Miss Crabbie read paper
on Historic Feminine Sinners" before the Not
ting Hill Debating Society; and Kitty cried.
These events are now matters of history.
The subject came up again, and this time the
Bishop was volcanic. marry her! Dare to
dream of marrying her, ard you may go and
play lawn-tennis with Tom Hughes in New
Rugby for summer and starve for the rest of
your life l won't send you to the BAR I'll stop
your allowance; III cry down your credit-O,
Julian! you7Tyou-apostate."
1t was the only word the Bishop could think
of at the moment, and it fitted remarkably we'll
But the apostate was very quiet, indeed, this
time-meekly seemed to acquiesce in his fathers
views; and then, to the Bishops bewilderment,
threw over all engagements, refused all invita-
tons, and settled down soberly and discreetly to
work in Mr.. Meeson Welby's chambers, with
whom he reading Home to dinner punctu-
ally every evening; talked little politics or a SEN
sational trial with the old gentleman; but after
his coffee promptly betook himself to his
storey" his Taylor his Broom" and his
first brand-new copy of the Reports Julian
meant to be barrister, and oddly enough, evil
IDENTIFY meant to learn law before instead of sub
sequently to his being called, which shows what
a very original young man he was.
Itwas perplexing. Julian the Apostate had
recanted his social heresy so thoroughly that the
Bishop was suspicious. The man worked, no
doubt of it, and would have nothing to say to
the cloud of white cards that settled all over the
mirror in his study like flock of butterflies
He was seemingly happy; and the whole thing
was perfectly amazing
grieve to say that his lordship became kind
of amateur detective; he watched every letter
that arrived; he called on Meeson Welhy and
found that his son was his most punctual and
most industrious pupil.
81 assure you, my Lord Bishop" said that
distinguished advocate, che knows a vast deal of
practical law, and has the making of very ex-
Gallant ldnrir him The avnrasSinr .tn