The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-01
BISHOP COLEMAN'S TRAMP.
A WALKING TOUR Of geo MILES
7HROUGH VIRGINIA.

He Wore an Old Buster, Was Of
ten Mistaken for Tramp and
Slept In Farmhouses-Has Been TAX
ing Such Annual Tramps Since 1891
and Attributes His viEor to Them.
WILMINGTON, Del. Sept %. Hale and hearty
the Right Rev. Leighton Coleman, Bishop OF tho
Protestant Episcopal Diocese Of Delaware has re-
turned from his annual pedestrian tour. He
tramped 220 miles along country roads, over
mountains and through desolate region Of south
western Virginia, acquiring rich coat Of sunburn
on his kindly face. and losing few pounds Of
flesh from his rotund form. He was away from
Wilmington exactly two weeks, eleven days OF
which were devoted 10 the tramp OF 220 miles The
greatest distance travelled In any one day was
thirty-two miles; but the roads in no condition
10 add 10 the pleasures Of a pedestrian tour. He
did not travel on Sundays, nor did he attend the
services in village churches. but he sought the
seclusion of the woods where he mprovised an al
tar and said the services Of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church. TO persons whom he meets
while on these long walks through the country
Bishop Coleman is only an idler and merely
Coleman" 10 the chance acquaintance.
Bishop Coleman is 90 years Of age, and retains
the vigor and activity Of youth. He attributes his
remarkable physical condition to his love for walk
ing Since boy hood no has been fond OF walking,
and with the exception OF very few years he has
made an annual tramp ever since 1861 He esti-
mates that he has covered 5000 miles in this man
While out in blizzard several years ago he
contracted cold in his left eye and lost the sig hi OF
II as a result Of his fondness for pedestrianism.
When about the ordinary duties Of his
diocese Bishop Coleman is dgnifed in ap-
pearance, yet democratic in manner. He
has round smiling face and probably
Is as widely known and respected as any
Tn,, i.h. H. r.t,o
does his acquaintance end with the American
continent. for while attending tho Lambeth con-
ference in England he tramped to many places OF
interest, Just to satisfy his fondness for walking
When starting on his annual walk. Bishop
Coleman is transformed in appearance. An old
linen duster that has done service for many years,
replaces the cloth of the Church; rough clothing
takes the place Of his usual neat attire heavy
walking shoes encase his feet, and an old black
broadbrmmed hat covers his head. An old
silver watch with black cord instead Of chain,
that II may not tempt thieves, and heavy cane,
complete the equipment Of the tourist The
Bishop left Wilmington on the morning OF Sept
last and made his way toward the wids of Vir-
ginia just where he went he will not say, as
he does not care embarrass those whose hospital
ity he enjoyed ncognito He always travels
in this manner and perhaps for the first time
since he adopted this plan he was recognized
this year. Passing from one room 10 another
in railway station at his starting point he heard
some cry Hello. Bishop" Surprised, the
Bishop wheeled about, and recognized little
girl whom he met at a seaside resort in July last
He was acquainted with the entire family, and
declined an invitation to dinner as he desired
to follow his itinerary. At the outset the Bishop
said he discovered new reason for travelling
incognito. As he was reclining ono afternoon
under tho shade Of schoolhousc somewhat
weary after a long days tramp. two passing
horsemen saw him.
That old fellows got big load on, l reckon"
remarked Of the horsemen audibly.
Lifelong abstainer as have been" the Bishop
said the other evening, II was the more amused
because only few minutes before had approved
OF the sentiment Of two men with whom l was
in conversation that would as soon drink quart
OF kerosene as quart OF whiskey."
Flooding along, the Bishop met another pedes-
TRAN. an Austrian who found delight in viewing
the country from the road This was the first time
in the Bishops career a tourist that he met
another person who was travelling for the pleasure
In IT, A friendly conversation followed, tho Bishop
mparting information to the foreigner, who was
making his first pedestrian trip in this country
The first night, like many others, was spent in a
farmhouse, The Bishop raped at the door and
the man Of the house opened it. The farmer was
about to give the Bishop lodging for the night when
his wife from the head Of the stairs started par
ley with her husband and the supposed tramp
FINELY withdrawing all objections when she saw
the Is shops benign face At one house the Bishop
was asked what he had to sell, and after sleeping
for a night in another farmhouse, he was cautious
ly asked if he was not revenue officer hunting for
moonshiners, as he suspected OF being q de
teCtive An intelligent farmer informed the Bishop
that he surprised To such a man living as a
tramp, as his face was that Of refined person
what is your nance" this farmer asked,
Coleman, responded the Bishop.
The farmer said he reg arded walking as hard.
est work. and could find no pleasure in IL
srAt none Of the houses where he lodged did the
Bishop see daily paper for the entire two weeks.
But he met poet who was manufacturing a
topical poem, of which the Bishop made a copy.
II began like this:
She was a beautiful peach.
or the Kind ten cents each,
But she did not drink lemonade.
Tho Bishop suggested some rhymes. and
changes in the manuscript but was informed by
the poet that il would be revised by somebody
who would know how"
At another farm the conversation was in regard
to diseases and their cure, and the Bishop was
greatly amused by the declaration OF the father
that he had cured his son OF fits by placing the
boys head against an oak tree and driving nail
INTO the tree. Inc BlShop dld not walk all the
time Frequently he engaged in conversation
with farmers who offered him lifts in wagons, Al
other times he sat under shade trees and attended
to his correspondence. His mail is enormous and
he arranged with Mrs. Coleman to forward all
correspondence at stated intervals Thus, the
Bishop would recline in the shade write necessary
replies, and mail them at the next Post Office For
Ave hours in his walk day he did not see a
single person, which gives an idea OF the country
through which he passed He scaled the Blue
Ridge Mountains, the ascent requiring three
hours One afternoon the Bishop broke the staff
which he had carried on pedestrian tours for a
dozen years at least A few nights found the
Bishop lodging in country taverns where the vii
layers would swap yarns This year he not
compelled TO sleep in q barn. as he was last year
Altogether he regards his tour as one Of the most
pleasant he has ever had, although II was devoid
Of exciting incidents, TO complete his journey.
the Bishop travelled 800 miles by train from
Virginia to this city. and then walked
from tho station TO Bshopstcad distance Of a
and thatn hrisr md tna