Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-11-10
SEEING THE GREAT MAN.

On the occasion of the recent pri-
vate visit of Mr.. Gladstone to the
old house of Panmure, very anus
ing incident occurred. As the visit
was quite private affair, every pre-
caution was taken to prevent the pub
lie getting access to the grounds, or
intruding on the privacy of the Earl
of Dalhousie and Ills guests. Not
withstanding this. considerable
number of the residents of the village
made their way to Panmure, in the
hope of catching glimpse of Mr..
Gladstone, and amongst them was a
retired farmer, pawky old man, and
genuine specimen of the old school
of Scotch farmers. He walked brisk
ly up to the gate, and was about to
pass through, when the gatekeeper
barred his progress, ane sharply init
mated that there was 'sNo admit
tance.' "What dye say exclaim-
ed the astonished farmer. "Will you
not let body IMP mo" was the
reply; "no- strangers are allowed
within the grounds. "But | maun
hae in to see the great man, an I
Wilma tax mo- for an answur.' But
the lady stood firm, and would not
yield. A crowd of visitors from the
seaside village had by this time gath
cred round the gate, all equally anx-
ious of admittance. While the por-
tress was holding a parley with the
fresh arrivals, the old man slyly slip
ped out of sight, walked along the
road for short distance, climbed the
boundary wall, and thus obtained ac-
cess to the grounds. Doubling the
porter's lodge, he walked leisure.y up
the carriage drive towards the man
sion. He had not gone far when he
was met by gentleman" in high
authority, who, amazed at the old
mans audacity, levelled his eyeglass,
and, after surveying him from head
to foot, haughtily demanded.
"What do you want here?" '.Weel,
frien," coolly repeated the farmer,
"I've come to see that great man you
hae VII you the day. Whaur do you
think he might be enow?' The gen
tleman saw he had a tough character
to deal with, and after moments
reflection he concluded that it would
be best TO get him quietly cornered
to prevent the possibility of a scene.
Accordingly he lead him to retir-
ed part of the policies, and told him
to wait there and the Premier would
pass that way shortly. But the old
farmer was too impatient to wait,
and, disregarding the injunction of
the high dignitary, he struck bee
line for the mansion-house. His per-
severance met with its due reward !;
for before he had gone far he en-
countered the Earl and his guests.
Advancing briskly up to the Earl, the
old man held out his hand, and greet
ed him ''Hoo's a WI you the day,
my lord? I've just come to see that
great man, and Wilma gae ava or
I shake hands WI him." The Earl
smiled, shook the old man by the
hand, and then introduced him to Mr..
Gladstone as an old tenant on the
estate. The Premier shook hands
with the worthy farmer, hoped
he was well, and so forth.
"Man, but Pm proud to see you,
Master Gladstone Man, you're a
clever chiel, we hav'na mony like
you, Dut young Dirkle tnefe, alluu-
ing to Dalhousi, "that's promisin'
weel. Man, but I'm glad to see you
lookin' sac weel and hearty. An
this is the mistress and your dochter,
suppose. Hoo are ye, mem! You
maun just excuse me, but we're a.
sac prood to see YOU" Thus the
honest old farmer went on, shaking
hands all round, while every one was
highly amused. At last he bade
them ''Guid day." after giving a
parting shake to Mr.. Gladstone's
hand. He was so elated at the hon.
or conferred upon him that he told
the story to all his friends, and he
was heard to declare in burst of en-
thusiasm, "that he would not wash
the hand that had grasped the palm
of Mr.. Gladstone for the next three
days.