THE WAYSIDE CHAPEL
An English Lady, making plans for an inexpensive visit to Switzerland, wrote to a country Inn for a room reservation. She ended the letter saying she preferred accommodation as close as possible to a WC.
You Anglophiles will recognize WC as a water closet or toilet. The Swiss innkeeper was not that well acquainted with the English, so he took the letter to his friend the parish priest and asked “What is a WC?”
The priest mulled this over for a time and then the dawn broke. “I’ve got it, he said; of course she means Wayside Chapel”. Very pleased to have his problem solved, the Innkeeper hastened to write to the English lady.
Dear Madam:
It is with great pleasure that I am able to inform you that we have a lovely room reserved for your visit and that there, indeed, is a WC. It is located only two miles from the Inn, in a beautiful grove of pine trees which give a feeling of serenity to the visitor. We will be most pleased to arrange transportation for you during your stay with us.
It may surprise you to know that our WC holds over two hundred persons per sitting. It is a good idea to go as early as possible in order to get a good seat, as sometimes standing room only is available, and is especially hard on some of the older ladies. On Sundays, a good number of people take picnic lunches and make a day of it. Others take a bus or horse carriage and usually arrive only just in time. I would recommend Madam arrange to go on Thursday evenings when there is organ accompaniment. Although the building dates back to the 12th Century, the acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds may be heard in the halls.
We are very proud of our unusual bell, donated by a wealthy visitor, which rings every time someone makes an offering. Unfortunately my wife has a rather delicate condition so she has not been able to attend regularly. Naturally it pains her very much not to be able to go more often.
In conclusion, we hope your visit with us will be most happy, so please let me know if you wish a seat reserved for you, for the season at the WC; there is a service charge but it will ensure you an upholstered seat. We suggest you bring your camera as the evening candle lighting ceremony in the WC is very colourful and it’s a beautiful sight to see the light playing on the fountains.
Some come with cheer – some with charity – but all leave satisfied.
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