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


that we should have our plate
stolen, we continued to store 1t, except
those articles In use, in small room at
the head OF the stairs, next to our bed
room, where we must hear any sound
there in the night. The plate was not
in safe, being 80 large in quantity;
but we had had an especially strong
oak press, with double doors lined with
iron, made expressly for it. The press
was fitted with shelves and drawers
lined with green baize. Connected with
il was an electric bell, which must in
fallibly ring if any unaccustomed hand
essayed to open the outer lock. The
locks themselves were Of complicated
construction, and we never left the
house in the daytime without at least
one servant in II. On the rare occa-
sions on which i could persuade my
husband to indulge himself with a few
weeks Of holiday we always sent all
the plate to the bank. / may add that
the door of the plate-room itself was
always kept locked and the key in my
possession, and that the window was
protected by heavy iron bars inside.
NY husband laid but few restrictions
upon me, but there was one point upon
which he was resolute--nobody must
ever 90 to the plate-room but me. No
matter how trustworthy the servants
might be, was never to give them the
keys or even allow them to know how
much plate we had. Charles firm
belief was that at least three fourths
of the burglaries that occurred were
planned either by the servants or by
associates and friends of theirs.
l must say l found the restriction
sometimes rather tiresome when l was
busy preparing for dinner-party and
the housemaid came to say that she
wanted more spoons and forks and other
articles for the table. 1t would often
have been an immense relief to me to
hand her the keys and say: 81 am
very busy; get what is required your
self" But I never did, although
might think Charlie over-cautious.
The very day after my husband had
spoken being pouring wet, and the
servants not having much to do, it oc-
Cured to me that | had better 90 to the
plate-room and get out what silver re-
quired cleaning and let them have it.
1t was always a tedious operation. So
| went up stairs, got out my keys,
opened the press and began work. 1t
was more than year since most OF it
had been cleaned and looked over
everything, determined to have it all
done and we'll done, in readiness for
our next dinner-party. The articles
which needed polishing | put down on
the floor, for there was neither table
nor chair in the room, nothing but the
press.
"If you please, am" said soft
voice at my elbow, "here is letter
the postman has just brought"
1t was Eliza. must say that for
half a minute / felt vexed to think
that, no doubt hearing me stirring
about, she had followed me in here.
True, I had never told any of the SER
wants not to come into that room, for
had not thought it worth while. How
ever, here Eliza was; and saw her
gaze wander, very naturally, to the
| open press, with its well-flled shelves
and the accumulation on the floor.
go, ma'am, what beautiful things :"
she said admiringly.
"Yes, are they not?" said. "Dr.
Lester is very proud of his silver, for
most Of it has been long time in his
family. l want you and Sarah to clean
the plate to-day. will put what re-
quires cleaning outside the door, and
you can come and fetch it."
| Eliza went out With could not
help fancying-just the slightest shade
Of unwillingness in her manner, and |
carefully locked the door, after leaving
some Of the things outside. In due
time they were brought upstairs again
brilliantly polished, and put them all
away, feeling rather heroic for resisting
the temptation to call in Eliza to help
me. Had it not been for my pledged
word to my husband certainly should
have done so.
Two days afterward, late lin the after
noon. Eliza came to me in my bed
room, with a glowing face, and handed
me a gentleman's card f." Rev. Went
worth Allardyce, lakewood Vicarage.'
"It's my dear master-my dear late
master, l mean, ma'am," she said,
looking quite overjoyed. He was in
London, and he called to see how was
getting on and he would like to speak
to you, ma'am, if you are not en-
gagged"
| went down to the drawing-room
willingly enough. Eliza had often told
me about this Mr.. Allardyce, who had
been very kind to her, and was really
glad to see any one who was interested
in so excellent servant.
The clergyman was handsome man
of about thirty-fve, with dark, viva
cious eyes and pleasant smile. lie
was got up in the most correct style Of
High Church costume, with long,
straight coat, buttonless waistcoat, a
round collar, cross suspended to his
watch chain, and a fiat felt hat.
Mrs. Lester, believe" he said,
coming forward most courteously. 81
trust you will not think have taken a
liberty in calling to see a domestic who
served me faithfully for three years,
and in whom | shall always take sim
cere interest"
81 am very glad to see you, Mr..
Allardyce," l said.
"And ! assure you it gives me great
pleasure to make the acquaintance of
lady Of whom have heard so much.
Eliza often writes to me, and is eloquent
in her praises Of you and her gratitude
for your kindness"
she is very good girl" l said.
She is good girl--a thoroughly
good girl-conscientious and sincere"
be answered, as if he felt pleased atmy
praise. "As an inmate Of my house
she was admirable in every particular.
also had the pleasure Of preparing
her for her confirmation. That being
the case, was naturally anxious not
to lose sight Of her when she came to
London"