The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-25
BISHOP POTTER AS
u A HUMORlST.
Specimens Of the Sayings That
Have Earned Him . Reputation
As 4 Wit.


| the head Of our most important diocese.
my dear Bishop" clergyman in
busting Western town ia alleged to have
said to Bishop Potter on the occasion OF
| the latter's visit to the parish to deliver a
lecture, -if-ahem-you-ah could mana &c
! to keep from putting too much-ah
into your talk tonight. My people-ah-
take their religion seriously, really. don't
you know"
Bishop Potter's reputation Is a humorist
il widespread. II is not limited to the
organization Of which he is one OF the best
known heads This Is due to his ability
to furnish his own joke whenever 1t Ia
necessary, and to store away for future use,
when it will be pat, any good story he may
hear.
San Francisco is still repeating and
laughing over the good things which the
Bishop said on the occasion Of his visit
to that city two years ago to attend the
Episcopal convention.
At that time the citizens We'd with one
another to honor him. The Bishop was
kept busy declining the invitations that
he had net time to accept.
self OF was to occupy the magnificent resi-
dence of William Crocker. The house Is
a snowy one, situated upon Mob Hill, where
the early California millionaires built their
homes.
One day a San Franciscan was showing
the group of residences to q friend who
was visiting in the city. As they approached
! the Will Crocker home he sprung the
treasured joke which he had been saving
for the right moment.
This" said he with flourish. rs Mr..
Crockers Pottery:
He did not recognize the gentleman
who was at that moment descending the
steps. 1t was the Bishop. who could not
in his eye.
II beg pardon for correcting you he
said, "but you are mistaken. This is Bishop
Potter's Crockery.'
While crossing on the ferryboat to San
Francisco from the railroad station, Bishop
Potter came upon staircase across which
chain was suspended with a sign reading,
Passengers are forbidden to 60 upon these
stairs until the boat stops
Il want to 60 upon those stairs, some
one overheard Bishop Potter say.
Why" inquired one Of his friends.
Because Of that sign answered tho
right reverend gentleman.
II have the same impulse put In tho
Bishop OF Albany.
Come on, said Bishop Potter.
And the two Of them ducked their digni-
fed heads like two boys crawling under
circus tent and meaked under tho chains,
one eccle siastical hat being badly dissr-
ranged by the performance.
there's nothing interesting about this
lower deck said tho Bishop Of Albany,
looking about. Tho boat had not yet
stopped.
Not about the deck explained Bishop
Potter impatiently. but don't you SEQ
the pleasure in it9 We were told by that
sign not TO do It.
1t is a we'll known fact that tho Bishop
disapproves Of the reckless giving Of aims.
He believes In saving aims for the deserving
needy.
Somebody relates the story Of tho Bishops
being stopped by a street beggar one even
ing as he was hurrying home. He ia never
in too much Of hurry to stop when he
thinks he may be Of use, 30 he paused.
even though he was a hungry man and
dinner Was awaiting him long way of.
what the trouble?" he asked the man.
Can you help a poor blind man to .
night lodgin'?' began the usual whine.
y haven t penny in my pocket, SIR
Tho man was a hearty fellow with q
patch over one eye, the other one being
closed. The Bishop turned his head
for an instant, and when he looked back
he saw. in one quick glance, the hitherto
closed eye Of the beggar giving wise wink
TO friend who stood beside him.
The Bishop dived into his pocket and
brought fourth bogus coin that had been
passed off on him a little while before.
Don't you think if I give you this my
aims will suit your affliction2' he said.
The Bishop has a gentle laugh up his
sleeve for the extremists OF The antique
craze. He lives in a modern home, and
he does not believe in carrying the fad
for antique adornments to excess.
Let's have old things when they are
useful or beautiful" he says, but what's
the sense in living like our ancestors when
we know how to be more comfortable than
they?'
He has some friends who carry this fad
to it's extreme limit, and the Bishop has
merrily rallied them many a time on their
mania.
Don't take to cliff dwelling for the sake
Of being fashionable" he said to them
once.
His own home displays a good electric
bell that announces the caller by a shrill
modern burr that resounds loudly. But
one day when he called at his friends house
he was surprised to find no button which
he might press. In it's stead was an old
bronze knocker Of rare and early design.
The Bishop applied himself vigorously
to the task OF rapping No answer. Mean
while he could see smoke coming out Of he
kitchen chimney, and. by the hour, he
knew that some one was preparing dinner.
He was anxious TO see the family, for
a pressing matter had caused him to call
30 he was tantalized by the sight Of the
smoke But the gate that led to the side
entrance was locked, 30 there was no pos
sibls way to enter except at the front.
He knocked harder No answer. At
last, tired OF waiting. he took out a card
and scrawled across its back
Il have decided not to como in, after