The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1914-08-05
A BATH IN AUSTRIA
It 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 IL Jared the Briton's Nerves.
Although live in England, which
II supposed to be the home of aristO-
cratic privilege. says a contributor to
ception OF the meaning of the words
until | visited some Austrian friends
at great castle some Eve hours jour.
ney from Vienna.
1t was u 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. aud as we rushed
through the village hats were raised
and the street was cleared for our
galloping steeds.
At the castle | was shown to q room
IN one of the turrets. where | found
the jaeger who had met me ut the rail
way station uDpacking my luggage
But the first essential was bath. He
was full of "desolation." but some
thing had gone wrong with the water
nipaS i'm hn and tharafnrn mo
bathroom could not be used. but il the
high and well born exceIency 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 unpacking after
ward" said Il will ring when
have had my bath"
Johann turned from an open dra wer.
his face blank with anazement But
is 1t not the high and well born excel
lency that should wash:" he asked
The German Of the thigh and well
born excellency" failed him. There
was Il pause: then. after a repeated
declaration that | would ring when |
wanted him. Johann left the room
clearly under protest. ~ 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 1t not cold water
over the back of the high and well
born excellency that should pOur?"
mo: certainly not" The door closed
again protestingly.
few seconds later Johann came
into the room with an air of triumph.
bearing Il large bath towel "Ah, the
splashing is over. Now the high and
well born exrellency | may he 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, a
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-" l 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
10 look after you on purpose. You
see. he did not understand. lie always
washes Karl
made M attempt 10 conceal my
establishment. and when ! glanced at
Prince Kari. n broad shouldcred giant
| could not help smiling.
why are you amnsed!' the princess
asked
'lt seems 81 incongruous. an
swered "Irince Karl being washed"
But afterward learned that II Is the
usual custom for the Austrian nobility
u be thoror ghly well scrubbed In their
baihs twice II 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 bocame Il great joke IN the
family Prince Karl declared that he
had never dressed himself IN his life.