Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-19

have long laughingly called the "mother note" be-
contains the first line my Bishop wrote to me-
l read it slowly, and memory is strong upon me- The
writer lives again. laughter bubbles in my throat
on that summers day when weary, work and
weather worn, the great churchman had for few
hours laid aside his stern dignity, abandoned himself
to the breeze while mentally he let himself float the
full tide of good fellowship. The result complete
subiection to his charm-and now most delightful
memory.
1t was in mid-August that the Bishop wrote his
note from the Stanton Street Cathedral Mission say
ing that certain day he to make very brief
visitation to St Johns and with my permission would
lunch with me, rest bit, and by catching such and
such train be back in time for an evening service in
the city He took this way he said to make the
personal acquaintance of one whom he had so long
known by reputation and hearsay.
1 surprised and pleased, but not a little dis
turbed for had heard whispers both of his kindness
and of his great sternness had heard of his biting
speech. and 1 had him once deal stu
pidity with a severity of face, voice and eye that
made fairly shrivel before it. Still there was but
thing to do--to write at once and though with
the thermometer standing at the nneties dared not
offer even to a churchman warm" welcome, did
promise a sincere
When the day arrived the heat simply fright
full; still a sudden whim caused to go myself to
few minutes for he incoming train nervousness
upon Why, oh, why, had 1 not asked
to meet him? Wig had / assumed all this
responsibility? Suppose he should hold himself stcrny
aoof, and all those hours to be flled l had known
well many ministers of different denominations, had
been on friendly terms with Catholic Archbishop,
had chummed with English dean, but this
different. Ah there the train!
L the PLATFORM and the first who
cy1,11up down from tbn Stn Wn flor
whose smotherng black cloth, Roman collar and
clerical nfgh double breast wastcoat topped
off with nobby straw hat with ribbon band. Hope
dawned in my breast, my nerves steadied, real
smile came to my lips, for that straw hat said so
plainly, Hes not all Bishop; he is part man. just
suffering man." and my courage struggled feebly.
His face was set and rnsming his greeting cour-
teous but brief, and together rushed the blazing
space that separated the carriage waiting in
the shade of some trees. Once started homeward his
quick observant eye almost instantly noted the really
perfect matching of the horses i'll color, size mark
ings and gait, and few short curt sentences he
commended their beauty. Meantime had turned on
the cushions a little and looked well at him. His
face like-well, like flint his lips straight line
dark circles lay beneath his tired eyes; he seemed
tagged, like in need of sleep.
Bishop Questions.
Then he turned and looked fairly at me. Some
twist of quizzical perturbation have shown
plainly in my face, for he asked, "Wel?' and then
what is it?'
And 1 answered. "Why, sir, here you are, the
Bishop, Bishop, my Bishop You have
placed yourself in my hands and, raised meek eyes
to his, land know more what to do with Bishop
than 1 should know what to do with Gatling gun"
"Do with the one as you would with the other" he
answered grimly
"Whatp' L said Indignantly; what ire Bishop?
Never, never in the wOrdW
Suddenly his lips relaxed his lowering brows lifted,
he chuckled Then he threw back his head aud
laughed aloud.
THANK you," he said "thank you. 1
getting it once, when l was young but 1 should
really hate to be fired now, ut my age"
"Then, indeed, my bosoms lord sat lightly his
throne" for 1 fear man who can laugh
told him had selfshly refrained from asking any
of his friends to meet him.
"By which," he answered, you have escaped sharp
disapproval, since you know you promised me bit
of lunch and quiet rest"
Then suddenly 1 looked at those heavy shadows
beneath his eyes broke out and told him what
thought of his fine action in sending mis- family to
the land of shadowy porches and cool wet beaches,
where the waves creaming over the sands, while
he remained behind in the scorchng city with the
hurried, harried, ungroomed suffering ones of his
flock, who had long been abandoned to their own
devices at such times of daily stress and quick temp
taton, while their guides and counsellors were afar
seeking ease and refreshment; that his personal
presence there as their father in God stunned ana
amazed them into sort of dumb, pathetic gratitude;
and added-"It certainly required real courage for
a comfort loving of refined tastes to patiently
endure the physical miseries that those poor little
ones have becor~e hardened to-"
He smiled kindly you make too much of it. 1t
is really not so very bad The only very trying thing
s-er" he wrinkled up his well cut nose and, shak-
ing his head said "smells. 1t astonishing how de-
voted Mulberry street is to onions--fried onions"
"And-er" l suggested.
"Yes" he nodded, "and garlic. AS for the showing
of courage, well, 1 am not quite sure 1t is not
+emner instead of courage. The question of the wei
fare of our side people has long been close to my
heart This annual seeming abandonment of them
bv the Church distressed me, yet my clergy argued
that after a long, hard winters work no mans health
and strength could endure summer OF toll In the