Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10

entered with afternoon tea, aud while
she handed It round in her peculiarly
def and pleasant way, Mr.. Allardyce
talked to her.
"Your mistress says she is very fond
Of the country, Eliza, and some day
she Is coming to lakewood to eat straw
berries and cream and sit under the
trees"
"0h, how nice, sir !" cried Eliza.
81 think she would admire the roses.
You remember that large bush in the
middle of the lawn? The frost killed
that in the winter"
" Did il sir? Oh, ] am so sorry !! I"
I" And poor old Nat. Welsh, nay gar
dener, is dead. Oh, and Mrs. Altar
dyce told me not to forget to tell you
that the Sunday school is most flour
ishing. There are q hundred and
yes, hundred and twenty children in
it now. l hope you keep up your
good habits, Eliza, and 60 regularly to
church, and read your Bible as you
used to do at 0akwood?"
At that moment / heard my hus-
bands latch-key in the door, and |
stepped out into the hall. "Mr. AL
lardyce is here, and is anxious to see
you," said, as he came in; and add
ed, soto soce, she is such nice man !.
DO come and speak to him."
Charlie followed me into the draw
ing-room, where Mr.. Allardyce grace
fully came forward, while Eliza re-
moved the tea things. And then en-
sued delightful chat Of about an hours
duration. To give even an outline Of
the conversation would take too long {;
but remember that we touched upon
a great number Of topics. Our guest
seemed to have travelled much, both in
England and on the Continent, and he
related some very amusing experiences
for our entertainment. could see
Charlie was delighted with him.
"Are you making a long stay in
town, Mr.. Allardyce 2" he asked, as
the hall clock struck 6.
"No; my time is not my own, and
/ must return tonight"
ave should be most happy to offer
you bed"
"Thank you; you are very kind !;
but promised Mrs. Allardyce | would
return tonight. She gets nervous in
my absence and imagines burglars and
all sorts Of horrors"
"But you will stay and dine with
US? Our hour is G."
"Thank you; | should like to do so
very much, if can manage not to miss
the half.past 0 o'clock train at Water
loo, which | said l should return BY"
~ can promise that; / will send
you in my brougham," said my hus-
band. And then Eliza came to say
dinner was on the table, and we went
into the dinner-room.
The meal was a very pleasant one,
for our guest exerted himself to be
agreeable. We were both charmed
with him.
"You will excuse my remarking
what very fine specimens of antique
plate you have on your sideboard, DR..
Lester" said Mr.. Allardyce, when we
were sitting at our modest dessert.
Il flatter myself that ] am cOnnois-
seur in old silver; and never saw
more splendid designs"
81 confess | am rather proud of
tbem," said my husband, highly graft
fled, as he always was when anybody
alluded to his hobby. Would you
like TO examine them"
Our visitor rose with graceful bow
and smile to me, and went to the side
board, where he handled the cups with
evident appreciation. How massive
they are and how beautifully orna-
mented. l suppose they are Jaco-
beam"
1.-THE date of the tankard is 1854 ;
the cups are five years older" said my
husband, who was learned in Hall
marks, and knew the date Of every
piece Of plate We possessed. Ut may
not be generally known that by means
Of letters, which represent figures, the
precise date of any piece Of Hall-marked
silver may be ascertaincd.l
Every fine indeed" said Mr.. Al
lardyce. Even my neighbor, Lord
Fitzgeorge, has nothing better. What
a massive salver, Your coat OF arms
in the centre, SUPPOSE"
Yes. All these things belonged to
my grandfather. Since you so much
appreciate such things, Mr.. Allardyce, "
said my husband in state Of high graft
fication, II should like to show you a
few other specimens possess. | have a
Queen Anne tea-service-genuine Queen
Anne, dated l7l2-which has been adj
mired very much. We do not keep il
in everyday use, and indeed we never
leave more silver out than is absolutely
necessary, on account ofthieves. Twill
show you my plate-room and what |
have there. But won't YOU take an
other glass of wine? D."
"No, thank you," said Mr.. Altar
dyce eagerly. 81 should so much pre-
fer to see your plate. | have quite a
passion for old silver"
Edith, dear, you have the keys, -
said my husband. eff you will 60 and
unlock the door we will follow you
1t was still broad daylight being
June. went up stairs and unlocked
the doors, and then the two gentlemen
came in. Our visitor was delighted as
one thing after another was brought
out. Charlie had never had such an
appreciative critic before.
"A most beautiful and valuable col
lection" said the clergyman after he
had examined everything. But do
you think it safe to keep so much plate
in an ordinary dwelling-house?"
"Oh, perfectly" said my husband.
You see the bars on the window, and
the doors are always kept locked. Be-
sides, any one who incsutiously touch
ed the press must ring this BELL" he
added, showing where it was and how
to avoid ringing it.
81 suppose you have locks Of com
plicated construction 2"
"yery. Where are your keys,
Edith: See, Mr. Allardyce. This is
the key for the inner door and that for
the outer. You perceive they are Of a
very peculiar make, and they are never