The Portland daily press., 1895-08-24
At THE BANQUET.

In his time and each succeeding nobleman
had honored him with confidence and
friendship A staneh, trusty man was he
and of the good old fashioned type. He
had many strange experiences. Here is his
account Of one Of them:
"When in London Oh one occasion,
met a man in the streets whom l remem-
bered as having been at one time valet,
afterward steward, to a Scottish nobleman.
He was man with a decided personal
ity, by no means basiiful, Sharp by name
and sharp by nature. Recognizing me at
once, he saruted in his usual faultless
style, and I stopped to exchange a few
pleasantries. Before we separated he re-
marked:
"sNow, sir, what can I do for you in
Londonp I shall ever remember your
kindness in procuring good situations for
my SONS and shall bo glad to be of any
service to you. Give me the opportunity
now
81 said 1 was obliged to him, but really
every sight in London seemed to have a
money value-that had no difficulty.
"'Oh, but, sir, I probably could get you
q sight that money could not buy. Now
try me-
Jewell, then, Sharp could you take me
to the Waterloo banquet tomorrow
sit was, to my mind the. occasion of
interest above all others.
Impossible absolutely impossible he
said at once. Why, you can't know what
you are asking, sir. Not living soul ex-
oept the officArs who fought in the battle
can get to thea5anQiet The rule is posi-
lively sacred The king is the one exeep-
ton, and he hasitoconsider himself priv
ileged guest.
"fOh. wcll,s said in mock resentment,
you insisted on my naming some sight
which money could mot buy, and the very
first mention. beats you. Good day,
Sharp
81 was turning away when the ready
witted fellow sprsngsafter me, and with
show of spirit said.
well sir, you have put me to the test.
1 will undertake to show you the Waterloo
banquet tomorrow might. On this occa-
sion, however, you must obey my instruc-
tions. You must come, in evening dress,
to the opposite side of Piccadilly from
Apslev House, at O'Clock punctually
Keep your eye on the window directly OPP
posite to the side OF east gate. You will
see me appear there exactly at the hour.
If [ hold both arms above my head and
beckon to you with my hands, you may
consider that all is right. If you see me
keep my arms down and shake my head,
all is wrong; you may go home. If all is
right, prepare I'd walk leisurely across the
street toward the gate, which you will find
guarded by policemen as well as by SOL
diers Time yourself to arrive at the gate
Just as I do, for T,will be visible. And
then, sir, leave the rest to me-
ave parted for Tuesday, and made sew
eral calls in the afternoon, one of them,
strangely enough, on Sharp's former mas
ter. who urged me to come and dine with
him the following evening holding out as
an inducement that he would. get several
mutual acouaintances with whom we
should be sure to have might of fun and
story telling of days gone BY declined
again and again, saying was already en-
gagged.
your ENGAGEMENTS off; remember, prom
Use YOU will meet those worthless. Do
sf'Well, my lord, I replied, 4 may live
to meet them again. but shall never have
another chance of my tomorrow nights
engagement
"'Come come "a common expression of
his lordship's, who was as good man as
ever favored glass of old port). what is
this great engagement you are SO bound
TOP
"swell, my lord, am going to the Wa
terloo banquet tomorrow night
ssYou should have seen him whistle and
laugh as he exclaimed:
"sWhy, man, you can't possibly be so
privileged Even 1 could not 60
"Oh, I am quite aware OF that, my
lord, but am going.
"tCome, come, how is this to be accom-
plishedY he asked.
"tWell, do you remember Sharp, whom
you had first as valet, then as steward
years ago? He has promised to let me see
this sight Of all sights
ellis 1ordship reflected short time and
then remarked:
lowell, sir, if that man Sharp has I'M
dertaken to let you be present at the Wa
terloo banquet, he will fulfill his promise.
At levee on one occasion he was In at
tendance ON my two sisters and myself.
The crush was unusually great, and one
of my sisters grew faint; the other very
nervous. I turned to Sharp for help, and
he, rising to the occasion at once, offered
his arm to one of my sisters. She took 1t,
and Sharp, asking US to follow him, man.
aged to make his way through the press to
side door, which he opened. we lounu
ourselves in charming room, with lunch
con on the table. Sharp locked the door,
and offering my sisters chairs we enjoyed
an excellent repast and some good wine.
Fortified in this way, we were able to
stand out the fatigues Of the levee. Yes,
Sharp is wonderfully clever fellow.
"Next day was at my TRUSTING place
in plenty of time, but far from happy at
the role expected to play. dreaded be-
ing found out and disgraced.
Prompt to time, Sharp appeared at the
window. His hands were high above his
head, his face beaming with delight. How
he happened to be in Apsley House never
found out He was a strange fellow. l
slowly walked across the street, picking
my steps with unnecessary care, trying to
anticipate the challenge of the sentries by
finding some plea for entrance. All at
onps became aware Of some one shouting