Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-04-23
An Episcopal Fix.

meet bis wife and daughter, WHO had
been studying IN the South Of France
II was all act ofdevotiOn on his pal'
for he very rarely visited the metro
polls, and had not quilted his dioce So
for years. Ho was quiet, mild, inof-
fensiye old gentleman, of studious hsh-
its aud retiring disposition. The only
fault which his enemies could 6nd io
him was decided tendency TO penu-
rlousness, and this was probably, the
reason why, having to spend the eight
in town, be elected to seek bed anc
the house Of clerical friend, instead
OF locating himself comfortably in The
pala,ial hotel annex 10 the railway ter
minus at which he alghted.
He bad only discovered at the las
nome ut that he must reach London
the day before his wife's arrival ia or
der to be in time to meet her the next
morning, and, consequently, be hat
omitted to bespeak bis friends hospl
tally. He therefore took the precau
ton to leave his portma nteau at the
station, in case bis unexpected visit
might prove inopportune. He started
off on foot, intending to avail himself
of an economical bus, and as he walk
ed along he passed the portals of a
modern Turkish bath esta bllshment.
Now a Turkish bath was luxury
which the bishop occasionally permit
ted himself, and feeling grimy aud fai-
-gued after bis journey, 1t occurred to
him that he might do no worse than in
vlgorate himself in this fashion. He
hesitated moment as he glanced at
tie uupretenticus exterior Of the build
log. but it looked clean, and the price,
as conspicuously exhibited, commen'
dt itself 10 his frugal mind. He re-
hected that his episcopal garb, beiu!
almost entirely concealed by a grea
coat, would probably esca pc observa
ton, besides which, he was hardly abl'
to meet any acqualn au ce IN such al
oht-of-the-waY localit Y. He, therefor
Welded TO bis incln ations, ard wa
shortly afterward dlsporling himsel
with serene enjoyment in an atmos
phere suggestive OF an oyer-heateC
oven,
When the Bishop returned TO th'
outer room to assume his habiliments,
he found that the individual who haC
occupied the opposite couch lad dis
appeared, leaving him in sole posses
sion Of the small apartment 1t may
be EXPLAINED that the apartment was
psrtilioned of iatO half a dozen open
recesses like miniature horse boxes.
with accomOdquons for two persons
each. There were three Of these CON
partmenls on either side Of the room,
with passage running down the Gen.
tire. The Bishop was rather relieved
to fud that bis companion had left him
TO himself, because he could enjoy
without constraint quiet siesta, and
leisurelv toilet. Attlred in ligh
but eccentric costume OF bathing iowel'
the Bishop reposed for half an hour Of
so on a couch with half closed eyes, il
benign frame oil mind and then, will
great effort, lie bestirred himself t
dress.
when be came look for his clothes
how e yer, he discovered that the gar
ments which lay huddled in a heal
close to his hand did not bel ong to him
In his dreamy state the revelation
daxned upon him impercephblY, ant
only caused him mild vexation. II,
concluded that he had come to tht
wrong compartment and had been re-
posing on the couch Of some other
bather. With some trepidahon he
issued forth into the passage, peeriu
into the adjoining boxes, but wi.hOu
result. The upshot was that he wa'
suddenly seized with a fearful nIsgiv
| ins, and peremptorilY summoned the
attendant.
Some one has taken my clothes be
exclaimed, with a mingled horror an
Indignation.
Amt lhese yours, sir p said the lad
p pointing TO the heap beside which th'
Bishop had been reclining.
No, sir, certainly not returned h'
Bishop sharply, eyeing with scorn
loud checked trouser leg which d m
g'ed fantastically over the back Of 8
chair.
Il seed you lynn down BIZ 'em thi
'arf hour and more, said the lad, pro-
baby resentIng The prelate's tone.
Il suppose I made mistake. Where
are my things ? Send for the proprietor
INSTANTLY exclaimed the Bishop. 10 z
terrible huster.
The lad retired with grin, and TIN
Bishop feverisbly adjusted his turban
and the towels which enveloped him
with wild attempt at looking dignide(
The proprietor,a rough looking person
age, hustled up presently with an ali
of injured innocence.
whats Up, sr?' be inquired shortly
1T is perfectly scandalous. M,
clothes have disappeared,' cried tht
Bishop. No. he added emphsiically
as the proprietor indicated the heap
before referred to. Those are not mine
Certainly not. am IA clergyuaul'
Il noticed a clergyman pass out. cir
when You were IN the BATH lnterpose'
a bystander.