Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-10-14
A SWEDISH BATH,

miliar with the Turkish and Russian.
but of the Swedish l had not heard;
but rs Il bath is always luxury. was
quite willing to avail mvse.f of the OPP
portunity. purchased my ticket from
a young woman in the office on the
lower floor of the bath house. 1T a cost
of kroner-5). or about A cents; |
passed up one flight of stairs and
handed the ticket to another Young
woman, who ushered me into a finely
furnished parior.
In Il few moments another female
appeared who spoke pleasantly to me.
but | could not understand a word.
She was handsome. tall and strong:
her dress was lowered. with a red
ground; it had no Sleeves-less than
no s.eevcs-it was cut under the arms
decolletc. The entire front of her
dress was covered hy a white linen
apron. Her blonde hair grew thick,
and a bunch of it budded gracefully
on the back of her head. She repeated
her former remarks with smile. |
simply answered. Bath, bath" She
then said, "ParleZ-Sous FRANCHISE" l
replied. Nay, nav" She said,
"Sprechen sic Deutsch?" Bath" said
|. She then started tt leave the room
and motio.eu me to follow "Barkis
WAS willing" was conducted into as
fine Il bathroom rs | had ever seen. 1t
was upholstered in maroon velvet;
there were mirrors. chairs, sofa. hooks
for Your clothes, slippers. etc. The
hathtuh was of polished olive wood, en-
circlcd by bands of gilt and silver with
large. bright headed nails driven in all
around it. This lovely Amazon and |
gave up our lanwuag. and became
dumb, that we might learn Of each
other by signs.
| | soon heard the water roaring in the
tub, and with II Swedish movement"
Of her hand she mutiOned where to
hang my clothes. When | was partly
undresscd she picked up silver bell,
Gangle,l it before my face, and then
placed it on the window sill beSid the
tub and left the room. y little later |
stood in the hath: reached for the
bell, rang it. and this same Venus of
the bath appeared. She lail her hand
on my shouldcr anl moliunrl me to
sit down in ;he tub. | sat. She then
made. hy the use Cf Il long towel. Il
kind of Il hammock. which she placed
across the head of the tub. Mn next
position WAS II lie on my back. my
head resting in the hammuck; then
this water nymlh commenced opera
tionS in earnest.
Up she took my left leg and with
brush and soap scrubbed it we'll. Then
along my side underneath the water
swung her strong arm To and fro from
throat to foot, lie II mighty pcndu-
, lum. Presently | was turned over
with my face in the hammock. to have
my other lcg operated upon and my
+ back scrubbed. | then sat up in the
tub and was thorou rhly sham rooed.
She then led me Il step or two. and
after a kindly push found myself III
, a small enclosure taking Il refreshing
shower bath; after which she threw
over me large cloak made of Turk
ish towelinw. and at once gave me a
thorough rubbing GoNn umtil | was
dry. | was then seated uDon the ia,
and she sat by my site. She E,3red
my clean loot in her massive lap, and
WFf II the aid of scissors. file aud cham
ois, put it i'll perfect order Before
manicuring the other foot She left the
ROOM but soon returned to serve me
with Il glass Of water. The glass was
thin, it hal a silver holder it was on 4
| silver tray. and the water WAS fresh!
| After my feet were sufficiently oper-
ated upon my finger nails were cut,
cleaned and hcauliiied. and before
leaving the room %h ill not forget to
turn my socks. When | WAS partly
dressed She returned will hnut my rinr-