The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-09-20
AN ENGLTSHMAN's HOME.
conttnlled form Ntnth paae

hour. / knew a family in America by the
same name as my host.
mot related to you, / take it 2'' said.
81 fancy not; we were so and 30 of such
whether they were descendants from Queen
Mary or the Gar Of Russia. "This is our
family history" and he produced tome
as large as quendom Pennsylvania
Republican msjority, from which | con-
cluded after looking it over casu-
ally, that my hosts ancestors were the
natural progenitors Of the human race. l
once tried to trace my own lineage, but will
never be so rash again. l should like to draw
the veil of oblivion over some of my finds.
One OF my remarkable discoveries was dis
tant relative who was actually a bona fdc
preacher. Yes, I'll be frank; I'll acknowledge
that | am related, very remotely, to be sure,
but nevertheless related, to shepherd who
had charge of small but rugged flock some
where down in "Old Virginny."
The family coat-of-arms embazoned the
title page Of this heavily-hasped volume. My
host explained its origin. Then the subject
of coats-of-arms generally was introduced.
"Every upstart has his family emblem now.
There's firm downtown that will give you
coat of-arms and a good family record for
five pounds; for ten they will connect you
with an earl, and for fifty you can become
linea descendant from any king your fancy
may suggest Nothing in it, you know, now
days." said the genial Englishman. Thus
we spent the evening pleasantly till about 10
O'Clock. We then had lunch and shortly
afterward retired. l was shown to a big bed
room with an immense bed and old-fashioned
furniture. Half dozen rugs were scattered
about the cold oak floor, and several rare old
pictures hung against the wall. | took the tai
low candle and examined the room in detail.
A bust of Dickens stood In one corner,
case of stuffed birds in another, while large
collection of old firearms decorated the space
AxI
frescoed. in the centre of which recognized
the family coat-of-arms. My candle was burn
ing low and prepared to retire. Once in the
spacious bed with it's wealth of pillows and
covers l was soon asleep, and was next
brought to consciousness by rap on the door
and the servants announcement that warm
water was ready on the outside, and did l
want anything, sir? In another hour we were
at breakfast, notin the supper room, but in
another as large as the first. Breakfast over,
my host showed me the house. No part was
spared. Each member Of the family had his
or her particular room, and were allowed to
convert it into whatever his or her fancy sug-
gested. One was an artist and his-for l re-
fer to Charle-room was filed with art brio
a-brac of all kinds. An easel stood in one
corner, bust in another, pictures and studies
covered the walls He had decorated the cell
ing with portraits of prominent masters. His
windows were of stained glass in which were
reproduced some famous paintings. skull
stood on top of the bookcase. Plaster casts
We're hanging around the room. Several mini
ature Venuses were standing on the table.
Old paint brushes were arranged in odd de-
signs against the door, while art relics of all
sorts were scattered about the room. ''Picked
1t up mostly himself said the father. 'sHas
studio downtown now and does a good
business. Had an order last week to do some
important frescoe work in one OF our new
theatres. Likes his work, you know" My
wa an a6 mi nf icl
and had besides an excellent marble bust of
the novelist, number of valuable relics from
the authors old home.
We were now joined by the girls and ex-
plored the grounds. He explained the
method Of growing grapes in England as we
passed through the conservatory. "Can't
grow them in the open air here. Must have
them under glass, you know. Won't mature
out doors at all. Rather expensive these
grape conservatories, but fruit grown in them
is of a very superior quality" Thus we
passed the day pleasantly enough till about
O'Clock when dinner was announced. This is
the event of the day with every Englishman.
We sat down and the first course was followed
by claret. Another course and something
stronger. l declined. My host seemed sur
prised. "Why, take it, my dear boy" ex-
planned that 1t wasn't my habit and was
little afraid of it. Nonsense, my dear fellow,
won't hurt you at all. 1t isn't one of your
beastly American drinks, you know. Isay, you
won't feel 1t, my dear boy" 1t was very mild,
and as every one else, even viyacious Mary,
drank heartily, followed their example and
began to thoroughly enjoy the meal. Another
course and something else. don't pretend
to know what it was this time. felt sure it
was harmless and partook freely. 81 say,
Dick, give me that volume of Dickens" and
my host read something very funny | have
forgotten what it was but l know 1t was
awfully amusing, and laughed dimmoderately.
We all laughed, and began to think they
were jolly nice people ''you know.o think
frankly told them so. l also liked their
country and after all, as said we were one and
the same people. Another course and some
more Dick ems and wine. think this selection
was something pathetic and felt like weep
ing. Perhaps did weep. am not certain
on this point, however. When we began our
me. | looked across the table at our host and
would you believe it, he had two heads. |
was shocked, mortified. looked again and
there was no doubt of it.. There they were as
plain as day and both were eating. Follow
ing this the last course was champagne. re-
fused positively, and took ice water instead
While emptied my glass | pondered upon
the wonderful creature with two heads who
sat opposite Was | mistaken? l looked
again but the optical illusion had disappeared
and my host was again monocephalous. Bar
ing this one embarrassing illusion that two
and-a-halt-hour dinner was a success ia every
particular.
We repaired to the music room and there we
were regaled with song. Alice had brought
home some American popular airs, among them
our own HUBS ''Tale of Woe'' and 'fSwing-
ing in the Grapevine Swing.n 1t was refresh
ing to listen to these songs in an English home
across the sea, for | assure you they were well
sung. Supper at 8, lunch at 10. Smoke be-
tween. The day closed for me at II. The
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