Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-04-17
TALBoT's EXPERIENCES,
The Episcopal Bishop and His Work
in Idaho.

VI J0AUVs
Bishop E. Talbot of the Protestant
Episcopal church of Pennsylvania tells
in Harper's Magazine (March) of some
OF his amusing experiences when he
was first sent west as missionary bish-
OPP OF Wyoming and Idaho. Here is
his account of his visit to a peculiar
ly tough mining town:
AS l walked down the street l saw
advancing toward me an elegantly
dressed gentleman, with large dia.
monds shining upon his spotless linen.
There We're seven saloon in a row.
AS l drew near my handsome young
friend and was about to extend my
hand, he surveyed me, concluded was
parson and might wish to interview
him on some subject with which he
was not familiar, and suddenly disap-
peared into one of the saloons.
Twice defeated, | went back to the
hotel and asked Colonel Burns, the
proprietor, to let me have some large
writing paper In bold hand l wrote
out few notices. | announced that,
as bishop of Idaho, had come to the
camp and would preach next morn
ing Sunday at II o'clock and in the
evening at g.; that both services would
be in the dance hail. All were cordial
ly invited to attend. Then the colon
el let me have some lacks. l soon dis
covered that my method of advertising
was not likely to be successful. What
more could l do? AS l walked by the
saloons observed that they were full
OF men. If only l were not a bishop.
| reflected, the problem would be easy
OF solution, for then l could go into
the saloons where the men are and de-
liver my invitation in person; but how
would it look for a bishop to visit
such places, even with the best OF mo-
tives? At last l became desperate.
l selected the first saloon in the row.
l went in. I introduced myself to the
proprietor. l told him was the bish-
op of Idaho and had come in to pay
my respects to him. He met me very
cordially, why, bishop l am proud
to know you. What will you have?"
I thanked him and told him I should
be greatly indebted to him if he would
kindly introduce me to those gentle
men, pointing to large room back
of the saloon, where the men were
gathered. do you mean the boys in
the poolroom?" he asked. Eyes,
presume l do" Thereupon he came
out from behind the counter, put his
arm in mine in a familiar way, as
though We had been boon companions
all our lives, and escorted me to the
open door of the poolroom. Boys"
he exclaimed, "hold up the game. Put
up the chips just a minute. This is
the bishop right among us, and he
wants to be introduced" With a po-
likeness and courtesy which would
have done credit to any drawing room
in New York or Boston or Philadel.
phia, the men rose from their seats
and welcomed me. l said briefly:
Excuse me, gentlemen; l do not wish
to interfere with your pleasure or your
amusement. have just come in to
pay my respects to you. l am the
bishop, and am going to hold services
in the dance hall tomorrow morning
at II and in the evening at 8, and
shall be very glad to see you there"
remember that one of them. evident.
ly speaking in a representative capac.
ity, thanked me for letting them know,
and asked me again the hour and as
sured me they would all be present.
In this way I visited all the seven sa-
looms in the row.
/ IL