The Portland daily press., 1895-08-24


l looked up in amazement but Sharp, for
Sharp it was, only shouted the louder:
Come away, confound you; come away
at oncel You're keeping back all the prep
arations.' He seemed so very angry that
the sentries and policemen were complete
ly taken in, as, in fact, l was myself in
more senses than one.
"Once indoors, Sharp assured me all
was right, but, for my part, l was wishing
myself anywhere but in Apsley House. In
a side room where l took off my overcoat,
l was introduced to the Duke of Yelling
toms house steward, and-oh mercy mel
ito the chief inspector of police in charge
of the force on duty. This gave me such a
start that implored sharp to let me put
on nv coat and go. But the fellow was as
cool as ever I saw him, and only said,
Nonsense, SIR So here was l, a justice
of the peace and deputy lieutenant to be
exposed in Apsley House as an impostor
Sharp had vanished, End ] had to Keep up
@ conversation with the chief inspector.
was in desperate fright. What | talked
about [ have not the smallest recollection.
ssThen back came Sl,a~o. as respectful
now as ever Come this 10 if you please,
SIR I had to follow. He led me into tho
ground hall and placed me at the foot OF
the staircase on ono side, telling me was
not to move six inches till he came for me
again.
~ obeyed.
CATER gathering my wits and looking
round, I saw, opposite me, 'boardly
man, like myself in every way, even to the
clothes He also was motionless, and
nevep.a word we spoke. Now we had not
stood very long when the Duke of Yelling
ton himself came down the stair and stood
stock still between us on the center Of the
lowest step.
at was the hour of arrival, and, stand
ing there he received all the old heroes in
true military fashion. All seemed pune
tual to the minute. What sight it was
Veterans with legs a-wanting, arms
a-wanting, lots rot winged at ALL None
without medals and orders purchased by
daring bravery
'sI felt my blood rise. To look at such
heroes was glorious joy. The scene was
worth ten years Of my life.
ga few minutes after the company had
arrived there was an extra stir at the
door, The group divided and Strengthened
up, and sir, before I had realized what
had happened in came the king.
"Ho walked through his old warriors,
and well he might look proud of them.
The duke stepped forward, bowed and
shook hands. Then up the stairs the two
went the duke one step behind his sover-
eign. The officers followed, and all was
quiet. I was thinking how privileged l
had been, when, from behind, came friend
Sharp's voice, Well, sir, how have you got
on?'
"sOh, first rate, said. 1T was mag
nifcent. Now let me CO.
"'Not at all. The best is yet to come. ;
"He took me into the picture gallery
next tho banqueting hall, where we found
the chief inspector again and several other
gentlemanly looking individuals. We ex-
amined the pictures and fine old furniture,
Sharp going in and out as if he had the
entire responsibility of the house.
Coming up to me one time, he told me
to stand steadily while he put something
in my tail pocket. When he had done SO,
he explained in side whisper: I have
plucked feather out Of the kings hat
and one out of the dukes. Keep them as
mementos of this day
"Just fancy my feelings as looked at
the chief inspector and thought what a
fine job he could make of me. Shortly
after this Sharp desired me to be in readl-
ness to draw back one-half of large slid
ing door SO as to throw the gallery into
the banqueting hall. My vis-a-vis of the
staircase appeared on the scene again and
took his stand by the other half. We acted
to orders, and there full before my eyes,
as the doors slid back, was the brilliant as
sembly, the Waterloo banquet. The table
glittered with its plate and crystal. There
was the great circle Of gallant hearts, the
king, the duke The remembrance is still
fresh as ever, the gay uniforms, the bright
light, the silver clink Of the glasses, the
perfume of the flowers.
~ stood in recess of the gallery and
Toasted my eyes.
Gas watched the old duke rose, glass
in hand. his steady eye upon the company.
A silence fell for a moment, and raising
his glass he said In voice charged with
respect, pride and dignity, The kings
health. Them turning with bow, Sire,
your health 1t was done with noble SIM
plicity. The company rose as one man. l
tell you, sir, if had shouted till the roof
rang and been shot for it wouldn't have
cared. Talk of patriotism! My old spirit
was a fury {In fact, the old gentleman
seemed to have reached climax, for
words failed here.)
When the company Droke up, WAS
taken by the dukes steward to a snug
room, where again found my friend the
chief inspector. who had now no terrors
for me, and some others. Here we enjoyed
a most excellent supper.
CAT last Sharp brought my overcoat and
helped me into it, remarking as he did SO,
BE careful, sir. In one pocket have put
the handglass used by the king, in the
other the one used by the duke. They are
wrapped in paper. And be careful, also,
sir, of the feathers "-Cornhill Maya
zine.
Seed Wheat.
We know now for certainty that q