The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-08-06
4 sWEEbisa BA1a.
An American Clergyman Scrubbed BY
Daughter Of tho vikiDga

. Daughter Of tho Vikings
Twas advised. says the Rev. George G.
Bartlett in the Church Union, while in
Stockholm to take q Swedish bath. ]
was quite familiar with the Turkish and
Russian, but of the Swedish had not
heard; but a. bath is always luxury !
was quite willing to avail myself OF the
opportunity. purchased my ticket from
. young woman IN the Office on the lower
floor of the bathhouse at cost OF one
kroncr-6o or about 40 cents. passed
up one flight of stairs and handed the
ticket to another young woman, who ush-
cred me into finely furnished parlor. 1
In a few moments another female ap-
reared, who spoke pleasantly to me, but
I could not understand word. She was
handsome, tall and strong; her dress was
lowered, with red ground; it had no
,leeves-less than no sleeves; it was cut
under the arms decoIlete! The entire
front of her dress was covered by = white
linen apron. Her blonde hair grew thick
and 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,
aParlez.vous Francaisa" l replied, "Nay,
nay" She said, "sprechen sic Deutsch2"
"Bath," said /. She then started to leave
the room and motioned me to follow"
"Barkis was within" was conducted
into as fine bedroom as had ever seen.
1t was upholstered in maroon velvet;
there were mirrors, chairs, sofa, hooks
for your clothes, slippers, etc. The bath
tub was of polished olive wood, encircled
by bands Of gilt and silver, with large
bright-headed nails driven in all around
it. This lovely Amazon and gave up
our language and became dumb, that we
might learn of each cher by signs.
I soon heard the water roaring IN the
4ub. and with Swedish movem>n." of
her hand she motioned where to hang my
clothes. When I was partly undressed
she picked up a silver bell, daAgled
it before my face, and then placed it on
the window sill beside the tub and left
the room. A little later stood u the
hath; l reached for the bell, rang il and
thia same Venus of the bath anr-'iea !.
She laid her hand Oh ~, shoulder ano
motioued ne r. sIr down in the tub
-. one then made, by the use of long
towel, kind OF a hammock which she
placed across the head of the tub. My
next position was 10 lie on my bact, my
head resting in tie hammoc* hen this
water nymph commenced operations in
earnest.
Up she took my left II aud with brush
aBd soap scrubbed it <ell. Then siong
ny side undernoatb@he water swung her
strong arm to sueffo from throat to foot,
like . mighty Pendulum. presently 4
was turned ger with my face. in the
hammock, Y1have my other leg operated
upon and ny back scrubbed. I then sat
up in thstub and was thoroughly sham
pooed. She then lead me a, step or two,
and after kindly push found myself
in q small enclosure taking refreshing
showerbath; after which she threw over
me large cloak made of Turkish towel
ing, and at once gave me thorough rub
hing down until / was dry. I was then
seated upon the sofa, and she sat by my
side! She placed my clean foot in her
massive lap, and with the aid of scissors
file and chamois, put 1t in perfect order.
Before manicuring the other foot she left
The room, but returned to serve me with
4 glass of water. The glass was thin; it
had silver holder, it was on silver tray,
and the water was fresh. After my feet
we're sufficiently operated upon my fng-
r nails were cut, cleaned aud beautiied,
and before leaving the room she did not
orget to turn my socks. When l was
partly dressed she returned without nv
ing,ng the bell, and helped me on with
ny vest and coat. Then presented he1
With silver coin and she presented me I
With smile. shall probably remember I
he smile long after she has forgotten the
'oin. Men are so constant! / have taken I
many baths in many countries, but the
swedish is the best of all. Il
, Half Row Half A1liuofnr