The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-01-14

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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 Oakwood?"
At that moment I heard my husbands
latch key in the door, and 1 stepped out
into the hall. "Mr. Allardyce is here, and
is anxious to see you" l said, as he came
in and added, soto voce, "he is such a
nice mani Do come and speak to him.
Charlie followed me into the drawing
room, where Mr. Allardyce gracefully came
forward while Eliza removed the tea things.
And then ensued deligh tful chat of about
an hours duration. To give even an out
line of the conversation would take too long;
but l remember that we touched upon
great number of topics. Our guest seem
ed to have travelled much, both in England
and on the Continent, and he related some
very amusing experiences for our enter
tainment. l could see Charlie was delight
ed with him.
care you making long stay in town,
Mr.. Allardyce?' he asked, as the hall clock
struck six
mo; my time is not my own, and l
must return tonight.
@We 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 hor-
rors.
"But you will stay and dine with us?
Our hour is six.
"Thank you; should like to do so very
much, if [ can manage not to miss the half
past nine o'clock train at Waterloo, which
I said should return by.
II can promise that; l will send you in
my brougham," said my husband. And
then Eliza came to say that dinner was on
the table, and we went into the dining
i room.
That meal was very pleasant one, for
our guest exerted himself to be agreeable
We were both charmed with him.
"You will excuse my remaking 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. II fatter myself that
am connoisseur in old silver; and 1
never saw more splendid designs"
Il confess am rather proud of them,
said my husband, highly gratifed, 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 sideboard,
where he handled the cups with evident
appreciation. "How massive they are !
and how beautifully ornamented 1 sup
pose they are Jacobean?"
"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 possess
ed. 1t may not be generally known that
by means ofletters, which represent figures,
the precise date of any piece of Hall-marked
silver may be ascertained.)
''Very fine indeed, said Mr. Allardyce.
"Even my neighbor, Lord Fitzgeorge, has
nothing better. What massive salver
Your coat of arms in the centre, SUPPOSE
eyes. All these things belonged to my
grandfather Since you so much appreci-
ate such things, Mr. Allardyce," said my
husband in a state of high qualification,
II should like to show you few other
specimens l possess. have Queen Anne
tea service-genuine Queen Anne, dated
1712-which has been admired very much
We do not keep it in everyday use, and
indeed we never leave more silver out than
is absolutely necessary on account of thieves.
will show you my plate room and what |
have there. But won't you take another
glass of wine?"
''No, thank you, said Mr.. Allardyce
eagerly II should so much prefer to see
your plate. have quite passion for old
silver"
Edith, dear, you have the keys, said
my husband. "If you will go 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 collec-
ton, said the clergyman after he had ex-
amined everything "But do you think
it safe to keepso 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. Besides,
any one who incautiously touched the press
must ring this bell, he added, showing
where it was and how to avoid ringing it.
a suppose you have locks of complicated
construction"
"Very. 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 very peculiar
make, and they are never allowed out of
my wife's possession.