Three Things: The Bishop’s Caper Edition

A few weeks ago at a book sale, I picked up an old book rather absently, titled In the Bishop’s Carriage, not particularly interested until I turned to the title page illustration (see below). Well now, a saucy visit to the bishop’s carriage! My interest sufficiently piqued, I continued to the first page, and read the first few lines:

When the thing was at its hottest, I bolted. Tom, like the darling he is— (Yes, you are, old fellow, you’re as precious to me as—as you are to the police—if they could only get their hands on you)—well, Tom drew off the crowd, having passed the old gentleman’s watch to me, and I made for the women’s rooms.

HOLYCOW, don’t you want to know what happens next? That’s how I felt, anyway. Naturally, I purchased it immediately.

The book, by Miriam Michelson, was published in 1904. I haven’t had time to sit down and finish it, so I can’t yet vouch for the rest of the story, but judging by the already lively character narration, I have a feeling I am going to enjoy it immensely. (If you can’t get your hands on a copy for yourself, you can read it online here, or listen to someone read it aloud to you here.)

In the meantime, let’s write our own turn-of-the-century caper. We’ve already got our heroine. Where? In the bishop’s carriage, of course! Add some loot, and how about a 1903 New York street (complete with policeman) to set the scene? Ready, set, go!

Michelson, Miriam. In the Bishop’s Carriage. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, 1904. Print. Illustration by Harrison Fisher.

Hinged Ring. Greek, Hellenistic, 2nd–1st Century B.C. Gold with garnet. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Pushcarts market in Manhattan, 1903. Video found here on YouTube.