Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-08-03
A BATH IN AUSTRIA
Il 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 It Jared the Britons Nerves.

put it Jarreo the brIton's Nerves.
Although live in England, which
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 a great castle some five hours jour
ney from Vienna.
1t was 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 as we rushed
through the village hats were raised
and the street was cleared for our
galloping steeds.
At the castle | was shown to room
In one of the turrets. where found
the jaeger who had met me at the rail
way station unpacking my luggage.
But the first essential was a bath He
was full Of "desoation." but some
thing had gone wrong with the water
pipes in the turret, and therefore the
bathroom could not be used. but If the
high and we'll born excellency would
condescend to use 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 unpacking after
ward" said II will ring when l
have had my BATH"
Johann turned from an open drawer
his face blank with amazement. But
is it not the high and well born excel
lency that ] should wash?" he asked.
The German of the high and well
born excellency" failed him. There
was pause; then, after a 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. ''Is Ii not cold water
over the back of the high and well
born excelency that should pour?"
mo; certainly notw The door closed
again protestingly.
A few seconds later Johann came
into the room with an air of triumph.
bearing 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 bewilderment. 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,
beautiful Hungarian who possessed all
the charm and vivacity of her race.
I'm afraid you are not being properly
looked after" she said Johann told
my husband that you ordered him out
of the room"
"But he wanted to wash me-" ex-
planned. He was most attentive. but
that was an attention did not desire"
Poor Johann" answered the prin-
cess. He was much upset. He is
Karl's special servant and was told
to look after you on purpose. You
see. he did not understand. He always
washes Karl"
| made no attempt to conceal my
astOnishment, and when | glanced at
Prince Karl. broad shouldered giant.
| could not help smiling.
why are you amused" the princess
asked.
lit seems so incongruous." | an
swered. prince Karl being washed!'
But afterward learned that it is the
usual custom for the Austrian nobility
to he thoroughly well scrubbed in their
baths twice u day by their Wallets and
dried afterward with hot towels They
are also dressed by their servants.
The driving OF poor Johann from my
bedroom became great joke in the
family. Prince Karl declared that he
had never dressed himself in his life.
81 tried 1t only once" said one of
his brothers, an officer In the Imperial
guards. when my servant was III and
l had to go to parade. put all the
buttons in the wrong buttonholes and
got confined to barracks for u week In
consequence.
In the old days the Austrian princes.
counts and barons were sovereign lords
on their own lands. which they held
| from the emperor In return for mill
tary service. Each of these great no
bles held his own court. which was
reflection in miniature OF the imperial
court. and as II was considered an
honor by men of the highest birth to
assist at the toilet Of the monarch. so
II was considered an honor by those OF
lesser degree to render similar personal
service to the great mobiles. The de-
pendence Of their descendants upon
their Wallets is only the survival OF
| those feudal customs.