The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1914-08-14
A BATH IN AUSTRIA
1t Was Full of Surprises For the
Visiting EngIishman.
JOHANN WAS TOO ATTENTIVE.
The Valet Was Only Doing as He
Would Have Done Had His Master,
the Prince. Been In the Guests Place,
but II Jared the Britor's Nerves.

Is supposed to be the home of aristO
cratic privilege. says contributor to
Chambers journal. | had no true con-
/ ception of the meaning of the words
until ! visited some Austrian friends
at great lie some five hours jour
ney from Vienna.
1t was II tropically hot day. and the
train was crowded. but when the con-
ductor found that ! was going to visit
Prince a. he cleared my compartment
of passengers and did all he could to
make me comfortable. At the little
station the peasants stood with barred
heads while | made my way to the
waiting carriage. and us we rushed
through the village hats were raised
and the street was cleared for our
galloping steeds.
At the castle was shown to a room
In one of the turrets. where ! found
the jaeger who had met me ut the rail
way station unpacking my luggage
But the first essential was bath He
was full of "desolation." but some
thing had gone wrong with tile water
pipes in the turret. and therefore the
bathroom could not be used. but IL the
high and well born excellency would
condescend to use IL hip bath he would
instantly bring one. The bath was
brought and prepared. but the tall
jaeger still remained in the room
"You can finish the unpucking after
ward" | said Il will ring when
have had my bath"
Johann turned from an open dra wer.
his face blank with amazcment. But
is it not the high and well born excel
lency that ! should wash" he asked.
The German of the high and well
born excelency" failed him. There
was pause: then. after repeated
declaration that would ring when |
wanted him. Johann left the room
clearly under protest. II shall be out
side the door If the high and well born
one should need me-" he said reproach-
fully.
| was no more than in the bath
when the door opened and the stalwart
figure appeared. rs it not cold water
over the back of the high and well
born excellency that should pour:"
NO: certainly not" The door closed
again prOtestingly.
A few seconds later Johann came
Into the room with I'm air of triumph.
bearing a large bath towel "Ah. the
splashing is over. Now the high and
well born excellency | may be per-
mitted to dry
But he was not even permitted the
high and well born excellency to dry.
What will my prince say?" he said.
looking at me in bewiIderment. His
serene highness commanded me to
show the excellency every attention.
and the excellency will allow me to do
nothing for him-nothing."
At dinner | sat next to the Princess
Karl, the wife Of the eldest son, a
beautiful Hungarian who possessed all
the charm and vivacity of her race
I'm afraid you are not being properly
ooked after" she said. Johann told
nv husband that you ordered him out |
u the room"
But be wanted to wash me-" ] ex-
planned. He was most attentive. but |
hat was an attention did not desire"
Poor Johann" answered the prin-
'ess. He was much upset. He Is
Xarl's special servant and was told
@ look after you on purpose. You
ee. he did not understand. He always
washes Karl"
] made no attempt to conceal my
and when l glanced at
prince Karl. IA broad shouldered giant,
could not help smiling.
why are you amused?" the princess
sked.
ut seems so incongruous." | an
wered. Prince Karl being washed"
Eut ] afterward learned that ii Is the
sual custom for the Austrian nobility
o be thoroughly well scrubbed in their
aths twice day by their Wallets and
rted afterward with hot towels. They
re also dressed by their servants.
he driving of poor Johann from my
'AuIOuiu utttiut SIcut JUNE III Inc
lmily. Prince Kari declared that he
id never dressed himself in his life
Il tried it only once" said one Of
is brothers. an officer in the Imperial
yards. when my servant was i'll and
had to 20 TO parade put all the
uttons In the wrong buttonholes and
OF confined to barracks for "a week in
onsequencc."
In the old days the Austrian princes.
Dunts and barons We're sovereign lords
n their own lands. which they held
r,m the emperor in return for mill
Try service. Each OF these great no
les held his own court. which was a
in miniature of the imperial
onrt. and as II was considered an
o:;or by men OF the highest birth TO
ss!st al the toilet Of the monarch. 50
was considered an honor by those OF
'sser degree TO render similar personal
arvice 10 the great mobiles. The de-
eDdence Of their descendants upon
heir Wallets IL only the survival Of
lJse feudal CUSTOMS.