Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-24
Anecdotes of Americas Most
Famous Episcopalian.
He Is A HUMORIST
REMEMBERED EVERYWHERE BY
HIS PLEASANTRIES.
How He Astonished Learned Body
by Poking Fun at Its
Members.

Written for The Evening Star by Edgar B. warner.
There goes the humorist of the Epsco-
pal Church at large said recent Mill
neapolis visitor to New York, as bishop
Henry Goldman Potter, the only head OF the
Episcopal Church in America who mas
coadjutor for other reasons than that Oh
actual bodily infirmity, passed by, he
got just as much reputation for his Wit IN
our church as he has by reason OF his being
the head of our most important diocese
MY dear bishop" a clergyman In a
bustling western town is alleged to have
said to Bishop Potter, on the occasion of the
latter's visit to the formers parish to de-
liver a lecture, ''if-ahem-you-ah--cou
manage to keep from putting too much-ah
fun into your talk tonight. My people
ah-take their religion seriously, really,
don't you know
Bishop Potter's reputation as humorist
is widespread; it is not limited to the or
ganzat.on Of which he is one of the best
known heads. This Is due to his ability to
furnish his own joke whenever IL is neces-
sary, and to store away for future USE
when it will be pat. any good story he may
hear.
It Was Potter's Crockery.
San Francisco is still repeating anu
laughing over the bon mots which the bsh-
op let drop on the occasion of his visit to
that city two years ago. to attend the
Episcopal convention.
At that time the citizens were very much
astir because the famous eastern bishop
was to be visitor within Their gates, and
they We'd with one another to honor their
guest The bishop was kept busy declin-
ing the invitations that he had not time
to accept. But one invitation that he did
avail himself of was to occupy the mag
nificent residence If the wealthy William
Crocker-one of the millionaire families of
which Mrs. Francis Burton Harrison and
Mrs. Alexander are eastern representatives.
The house is Snowy one, situated upon
Mob Hill, where the early California mill
lionaires built their homes. so it is show
place." it came to have a double interest
when it was occupied by the bishop. One
day a San Franciscan was showing the
group of residences to a friend who was
visiting in the city. AS they approached
the viii Croker" home he sprang the
treasured joke which he had been saving
for the right moment. This" said he with
a flourish, sis Mr.. Crocker's Pottery"
He did not recognize the gentleman who
was at that moment, descending the steps.
1t was the bishop. who could not help
overhearng, and who had a twinkle in his
eye. L beg pardon for correcting YOU"
he said but you are mistaken. This is
Bishop Potter's Crockery.
Helped His Friend.
The bishop and ]. Pierpont Morgan were
the most famous guests that San Francisco
had at the time, and they were both be-
sieged by the press
Mr.. Morgan showed his customary disin-
clination for all publicity. On the day of
arrival, when all the members of the party
were being conveyed from the train to the
city. the ferryboat was crowded with pho
tographers lying in wait for them.
Mr.. Morgan lodged here. there, every
where, and was met by the persistent
camera fiends at every turn.
How shall L get away from them?" he
asked in dSmay.
TN help you" said Bishop Potter, and
thereupon he began a defense of his friend
Whenever a kodak appeared he would place
himself in front OF the financier. and laugh
back over his shoulder at the bafied pho
tographer. Once he waved his arm just
in time to spoil plate that was being
surreptitiouSly exposed He spread his coat
at the critical moment of another. On
every occasion he had his joke for tho dis
appointed man, so that the whole army had
to vote him a good fellow in spite of the
trouble he caused them.
Mr.. Morgan positively refuses to look
pleasant this morning" tthe bishop affably
told one man. He must be properly coaxed
to smile"
Had Their Way.
When the end of the twenty-minute ferry
trip was reached, the bishop crowded with
the rest of the passengers to the forward
deck. There he found the customary chain
suspended across the stairs and the Gus
tomary sign reading, Passengers are for
hidden to go upon these stairs until the
boat stops.
Il want to so upon those stairs some
one overheard Bishop Potter say.
.Why2" incurred Mr.. Morgan.
Because of that sign" answered the
right reverend gentleman.
4 have the same impulse" put in the
Bishop of Albany.
Come on" said Bishop Potter.
And the two of them ducked their digni-
fed heads like two naughty boys crawling
under a circus tent and sneaked under the
chain, one ecclesiastical hat being badly
disarranged by the performance.
There's nothing interesting about this
lower deck" said the bishop of Albany,
looking about The boat had not yet stop
ped.
Not about the deck" explained Bishop
Potter imoatiently, but don't you see the
pleasure in it? We were told by that sign
not to do it.
A Good Match.
1t is a well-known fact that the bishop
disapproves of the reckless giving of aims.
He has sharp censure for the kind of giving
that fosters crime and deceit. He believes
in saving aims for the deserving needy.
Somebody relates the story of the bishops
being stopped by a street beggar one even
ing as he was hurrying home. He is never
in too much of hurry to stop when he
thinks he may be of use, so he paused,
even though he was hungry man and din
ner was awaiting him a long way off.
whats the trouble?" he asked the man.
can you help a poor blind man to a
nights lodgin'?" began the usual whine. II
haven't penny in my pocket. SIR"
The man was a hearty specimen with a
patch over one eye. the other one being
closed The bishop turned his glance for an
instant, and when he looked back he saw.
in one quick instant, the hitherto closed
eve of the beggar giving wise wink to
friend who stood beside him.
The bishop dived into his pocket and
brought forth bogus coin that had been
passed on him little while before.
Don't you think if 1 give you this my
aims will suit your affiiction?" he said.
Views on the Antique
The bishop has gentle laugh up his
sleeve for the extremists of the antique
craze. He lives in a modern home, and he
In rrxyipc ba fad fnr