The Portland daily press., 1881-11-09

He was now rather fuddled and unsteady.
| He wandered out of that tavern, paused out
side to repeat his story with its new ending to
afew loafers, and then wandered on to another.
he drank and talked till his speech became
slow and thick, and his brain saturated with
alcoholic fumes. What with the preposterous
conclusion of his story and his tipsiness, no one
now believed him, in spite of the form which
he still held in his damp hand. Was 1t not
possible for any one who had tiorln TO trump
up such story? He was not yet so stupid and
blind with liquor but that he could understand
the winks, and shrugs, and smiles. he became
wroth that his wonderful tale should be doubt
ed; he had talked himself into belief even OF
the truth of the addendum. HIS cups too,
made him quarrelsome.
"Say I'm liarI. he exclaimed, stung by q
peculiarly irritating wink. 81 could take
you to my mates that was there at the time,
and here's the very identical half-dollar.
Nowl"
transition is very easy and quick to blows.
There was a "row," which after a little
(though not too soon) attracted the police, and
the man with the form was locked up
HI
Next morning he was led between two po-
licemen into the dock before the magistrate. In
extenuation of his offense ('drunk and disor-
added conclusion, "And his lordship bid me
come to him if ever wanted anything or was
in trouble. Come to my 'ouse,' says he, in
Downing street. forget what number he
said. He told me the number, but forget
it."
The magistrate laughed, the clerk laughed,
the policemen put up their hands and laughed,
and the idle dirty men and women at the back
of the court laughed at the bare faced ib.
GLOW can you" said the magistrate, recov-
ering his compoSure and dignity, tell me such
an outrageous story?"
HS'aiD me. yOur worship"
"Be silent, sir; I've heard enough" The
magistrate consulted moment with the clerk.
Then he asked, 'sWhat did you tell me your
occupation WASP"
"Platelayer, your worship"
"Have you any money!"
"Only the florin his lordship gi 'mme,
your worship" at which their was another
laugh.
return to your work and notquarrel again over
this very ridiculous story9"
"Well will, your worship" 1t was a re-
served kind of assent, which plainly meant, my
story is true all the same"
On leaving the court wag stepped up be-
hind him and said, Lord Beaconsfeld's COM
pliments, and he hopes you IL will go down to
tea" He turned and glared on the man, but
a policeman pushed him into the street, and be
walked away.
was no work for him. He received the wages
due to him, and he was discharged. He went
home in doleful mood to his mother. She was,
of course, full of reproaches, but she fully
atoned for them by believing his story,
even to its conclusion. Her belief in it con-
firmed his own, and her urgency made him
at once put into effect his intention of seek
ing Lord Beaconsfeld in Westminster and
reminding him of promise he had never
made.
The House of Lords rose early, according to
its "healthy, wealthy and wise custom. The
Premier walked out to his brougham to drive
home to dinner. Besides footmen and other
funkeys. there was man on the pavement in
fustian, who got somewhat in the way, and
took off his cap and bowed. Perhaps there
was something in the flourish of the cap and in
the bow that reminded his lordship of the in
cident at the station. When about to step off
the pavement he turned and looked at the
fellow, who instantly made flourish for
ward.
'sThank you, my man" said my lord; Sim
not going to drop my stick to-day"
"Three cheers for his lordship?" cried the
ecstatic fustian, waving his cap.
From that day the man haunted Downing
street and the House of Lords like Spring
heeled Jack, in spite of the utmost efforts of
Policemen x, and u. He would astonish the
assiduous sparrows and the solemn menials of
the official street by shouting "Hoorayl" if the
Earl paused to blow his nose in getting in and
out of his carriage. If the distinguished Wis
age happened to appear at window there
would be demand of "Three cheers for Lord
Beaconsfeld!' to which there would be nobody
to respond but passing butcher-boy or cats
meat man.
Such persistent homage deserved reward.
1t would seem that the Earl was 10th to cause
the man to be prosecuted in police court, but
yet it was necessary that he should cease spend
ing his days in shouting "Hooray!" at mop
perfume moments My lord hit upon on astute
expedient. One day he ordered the man to be
called in. Though, said he; it was very agreea-
BILE to receive such attentions from an enligh-
tened and prtriotic sitizen-
"Hoorayl' the man had it in his mouth to
shout.
"Yet, Chow is it you are not about your
btsiness?"
Business? amt got none, your lordship;
I'm platelayer; I'm on the line."
"Ah, instead of being on the line, how would
you like to be in the line? told you once you
deserved the Victoria Cross. Well, go and get
what you Deserve"
"Where, your lordship?"
'Jn the line," (meaning as private sold
ier).
The man looked mystifed, but he answered,
"I'll do anything for your lordship."
Il knew you would. My servant will go with
you and see you do it,"
The servant conducted the man into King
street, happy in the possession of another of his
'lordship's forms, to which was soon added by
a jolly sergeant the Queeu's shilling. OF this
transaction the man did not for a little under
stand the significance, he was so occupied in
telling the sergeant his story. When he did
understand it he was crestfallen and silent.