The Washington times., 1903-10-25
Eminent Divine, Now in
Washington, Spends His
Summer Vacation in
TrdVeIing Country Roads
by Himself and Without
Disclosing His identify.
Trips Afford InWigOrating
Exercise, Greet Sport,
MANY IIdrdShipS, and
Give Interesting Insight
Into Lives Of Plain Folk.

One of the most eminent churchmen
now attending the Pan-American Con-
ference of Bishops In Washington is the
Right Rev. Leighton Coleman. ID. D.,
IL. d.. Bishop OF the Diocese OF Della
ware, says the New York sun"
OF the many distinguished traits OF
Bishop Coleman there is none that at
tracts more attention. generally speak
ing. than his propensity for touring the
country on foot. in which he employs
much the same methods as the ordinary
tramp. except that he dresses about the
same as the average business man and
is financially able TO provide for himself
wherever he stops. On these trips. how
ever. he never discioses his identity al
though he does not make any attempt
10 disguise himself beyond casting on
his clerical garb for the time being.
Il have been taking these tours afoot
for more than forty years." the bishop
said in speaking of his walks through
the country. land the experience is
nothing new to me. but each year
find some new things and much to inter
est and edify me. 1 resort to this
method Of taking a holiday rather than
any other. because IL is more restful
than any other trip that l can take.
The restfulness is found chiefly in the
absence of plan and schedule. In that
respect IT is a great relief from my
busy everyday life. which is full of daily
engagements Then ] find IL a most
wholesome exercise, and / attribute my
remarkably good health TO my long con-
tinued practice of walking and total alb
stinence from stimulants- Then. again.
* enables me TO see many points in the
country that are inaccessible by the
usual methods OF travel and II gives
me an opportunity TO come closer in
touch with my fellow men. because.
travelling as I do. incognito. they are
not under that restraint in talking to
me that they might be IL they knew
who and what 1 was. Therefore. l see
the people in the humble walks of life
as they are and they talk 10 me as they
do to one another
Must Endure Hardships.
This touring afoot has also been
very decided help to me I'm fitting me
10 put up with anything in the way OF
discomfort and Inconvenience. I travel
IN out-of-the-way places. and frequently
am obliged TO endure hardships in the
way Of lodging and meals which one
would ordinarily fret at. more especially
when on a vacation.
During these more than forty years
of touring l have Travelled on foot over
the greater part Of the New England
and Middle States and also much I'm the
Southern States. In recent years have
gone chiefly through the South because
the States there are less frequented by
tourists than is the case up North. and
this enables me TO continue incognito
more easily than might otherwise be the
case.
My pedestrian trips usually consume
two weeks: not longer because am not
fond OF vacations. II the weather and
roads are favorable ] usually travel
twenty TO twenty-five miles day
While I do not have any desire TO walk
against time ii so happens. occasionally,
that I walk nearly forty miles some
days. Year before last 1 walked ninety
miles on three successive days and was
3ust fresh at the close of the third
day as when I started. I was neither
exhausted nor fatigued.
"Of course, during these trips I en-
counter numerous amusing and novel
experiences. I have been taken for
nearly everything but clergyman. as,
for example. lightning rod agent.
peddler. fortune teller. real estate specu-
lator. railroad promoter. travelling dem
list. doctor. book agent. tax collector.
etc. During the civil war I was fire.
Quently taken for a SPY. detective, and
bounty Jumper. and. naturally. excited
n great deal Of suspicion.
ION several occasions have been re
fused lodging and have been obliged 10
resort TO haymOws. uaOccupied dwell
inRs. schools. and other buildings. sleep
ing on the floors with my knapsack as
n pillow. Sometimes / have been asked
by my friends at home why. In view OF
being refused lodging. 1 do not tell sus-
picious persons who am MyrCpiy IS that.
! do not disclose my identity for three
reasons: First. because many people do
not know what the word bishop means:
second. where they do know the mean
ing Of the word and IT'S significance
many would not believe me because OF
ny appearance. and third. because they
would not think so well OF a bishop as
before ! told them. Then. again. II /
should tell the strangers who I am IL
would place them w scr restraint. and,
obviously. would Interfere with my free
dom OF movement and mr. desire 20
avoid attracting special attention.
Z Walking Not for the Poor Only.
zone OF my most common experiences
IS the incredulity Of the people that !
actually get out of walking as / do.
pleasure and rest PeoDle are slow 10
believe that any man who can afford 20
ride prefers 70 walk. Once when / was
tramping ga the Shenandoah Valley. on
arriving ~ place where the roads
forkcd ! asked "a man about eighty years
old the way 90 Painted Post, which was
my destination. That - the direction.
the old gentleman replica. but you are
not going 90 walk? oh. I said I
think ! viii walk But the old gentle
man added. You don't know how far X
IS NO, said ], but that makes no
dherchce 20 me. IL Is my purpose to
walk Why. it's eighteen miles said
the old gentleman. why don't you take
the cars "a VIII only cost you 60 cents
Well. soiG 7. i would rather pay the
50 CENTS and walk The old gentleman
became disguised with me and with the
remark I think you are a fool ne
walked away and left ne ] walked
'Oh another occasion 1 was reposing
under the shade Of an old tree waen