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


his shovel hat and apron, he looked ex-
ceedingly common place. He instinctively
felt that it would be useless to stand upon
dignity, and regretted that he had revealed
his identity to an unsympathetic audience.
he became painfully conscious of the alb
surdity of the situation, and turned Grim
son with humiliation and confusion.
''l don't think that will quite do" said
the proprietor, noticing these signs, "You
had better look at them clothes again, and
L fancy you'll find they are yours, after
ALL.
With this ironical speech the proprietor
turned on his heel and walked off, glancing
significantly at the bystanders, as much as
to say that he had discounted an unscupu-
lous imposter. The Bishop had not the
heart to continue the discussion, but retired
to his compartment and sat down sadly on
his couch to reflect what he had better do.
The obvious course seemed to be to send
for the police, and dispatch a message to
his friend to come and identify him. But
this involved creating a disturbance and
exposing himself for time, at all events,
to further indignity. Besides, he did not
relish the idea of being discovered by his
friend in state of deshabile in cheap
Turkish bath under such ludicrous cir
cumstances. On the whole he preferred to
adopt the alternative of dressing himself il,
the thief's clothes and drive to his friends
house in cab. His attire would, no doubt,
excite surprise; but he would be spared the
humiliation Of remaining an object of ridi-
cule and suspicion.
Nevertheless the Bishop shuddered when
he looked at the garments in which he
proposed to array himself. They consisted
of a suit of clothes of a loud pattern, very
much the worse for wear, a round hat
familiarly known as Chill ycock"-and a
massive great coat of a strangely dissipated
and rakish appearance. After an inward
struggle, the Bishop swallowed his pride
and dignity at gulp, and hastily proceed
ed TO clothe himself with such articles as
were absolutely necessary. Unfortunately
he could not dispense with the billycock
hat, which was many sizes too small for
him and sat lightly on the crown of his
head in very ridiculous fashion. In like
manner the strangers boots cost him Bit
ter pang for they were in an advanced state
of decomposition, aud looked really disrep-
utable. But he could not help himself;
and, though a glance at the mirror con-
firmed his worst apprehension with regard
to his aspect, he set his teeth firmly, and
resolved not to be daunted.
There was an audible litter as he passed
along the passage toward the entrance, and
the proprietor who received him at the
door treated him with very scant civility.
This was CALLING enough, but when he got
outside into the street, he was instantly
ponnced upon by an individual who patted
him playfully on the shoulder and thrust
an ominous- looking document into his
hands.
"What is this7" inquired the Bishop,
stiff1y.
"You've only got to read, and you'll find
out all about it. Here's the original, lfyou
want to see it," replied the man.
"But this-this is addressed to John
Richards. You have evidently made a
mistake" said the Bishop, glancing at
the paper.
'Oh, no, l haven't-not this time. I
watched you go in, matey. Considering
I've been val ing here for you for over
three hours, you might stand pint just to
show you bear no maiice," said this man,
facetiously.
The Bishop hastily put the paper in his
pocket and walked ON, swelling with in
dignation, but prudently smothered his
wrath. 1t was clear that he was honestly
mistaken for the owner of the clothes he
was wearing, and it would be useless to
argue the point.
Before be had proceeded many steps he
came upon cheap hatter's shop. the sight
of which sent ray of hope through his
breast He would buy hat and likewise
a presentable pair of boots, and, in short,
purchase fresh outfit, so as to arrive at
his friends house looking at least respec-
table. He accordingly walked into
the shop and selected sober. broad-brim-
med hat that fitted him. There was moth
ing episcopal about it, but it was grea,
improvement on the obnoxious Chilly
cock" which he freely bestowed on the
shopman. Butw when he put his hand in his
pocket to pay for his purchase, he realized,
for the first time, the worst part of the mis-
hap that had befallen him. His watch and
jewelry and money had been carried off
with his clothes by the thief, whose cast
off garments did not contain SO much as a
single penny piece.
81 am exceedingly sorry" said the Bish
op, breaking into a profuse perspiratlon;
"but have no money. | have been rob-
bed.''
'sOh! indeed, SIR said the shopman,
looking him up and down, unpleasantly.
eyes; hope you will trust me with this
hat. pledge ynu my honor you shall be
paid" said the Bishop earnestly.
eve don't take no pledges of that sort
at this establishment returned the man.
"When tell yon [ am Bishop of x"
ga Bishop, eh p interrupted the man,
whisking the hat off the head of the would
be customer with remarkable celebrity, and
restoring it to its place in the window, 81
know your sort Ysu look like Bishop.
don't you? ?'' You'd better take yourself
of, young feller, or I shall have to send
for the police"
For a moment the good Bishop became
apopleptic, but he mastered his indigna-
tion. 1t was not surprising, considering
his appearance, that the man should
mistrust him, and his lordship therefore
took up his discarded head gear and step
ped silently into the street.
It was obvious that he must present
himself at his friends house as he was.
He hesitated moment whether to return
to the station, and claim the portmanteau
he had left there. But it contained nothing
that would materially improve his outward
attire, as he had only come to town for one
night; and, besides, having learned wisdom
from bitter experience, he doubted whether
it would be given up to him. The ticket
was in the pocket of his clothes, and posi-
bly, by this time the thief had made use of
it. He therefore hailed cab, and direct
ed the man to take him to his friends
address.
He naturally felt very awkward and en-
barrased when he reached his destination.
He was a sensitive old gentleman, and
knowing too well that ho cut an extremely
ridiculous figure, he dreaded the ordeal of
facing bis friend. At the same time it was
relief to Linn that he had arrived at the
end of his perplexities, for he would be able
to borrow from his friends wardrobe and
procured fresh outfit befitting to his rank
before meeting his wife. He was obliged
to tell the cabman to wait, as he had to
borrow the money to pay him, and as he
stood on the doorstep OF his friends house
he was painfully conscious that the driver
had misgivings about receiving his fare.
To his great disappointment, the neat
maid servant who came to the door in an
swer to his knock, stated that her master
was away from home.
'Will he be back soon?' inquired the
Bishop, eagerly, with his heart in his
mouth.
'.Not for day OF two," returned the
girl. cycling the visitor with a puzzled
glance.
ssDear dear mei'' exclaimed the Bishop