Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-08-23
AT THE BANQUET.

of the oldest If the old Scotch families
-Four generations had occupied the lands
81 his time. and each succeeding nublCman
had honorcd him with confidence and
friendship. \ stanch, trusty man was no
and of the good old fashioned type lie
had many strange experiences Here Is his
account of one of them:
"When in London on one occasion. l
met Il man in the streets whom ! remcm-
bered aS having been al one time valet,
afterward steward, 10 "A Scottish nob!eman.
He was man with "a decided personal
ity, 10y no means hashful, sharp 10y name
and sharp by nature Recognizing me ut
once hc saluted in his usual iaultcSs
style, and | stopped TO exchange a few
plca,antres. Before we separated he re-
marked.
Now, sir, what can do for you in
London | shall ever remember your
kindness in procuring good SITUATIONS for
my sons and shall Ice glad to be of any
service TO You. Give me the opportunity
now
II said was obliged to him, but really
every sight i'm London seemed to have "a
money valuc-that had no difficulty.
oh, but, sir. | probably could get you
sight that money could not buy. Now
try me.
Well, then, Sharp, could you take me
20 the Waterloo banquet tomorrow
1t was, To my mind, the occasion Of
Interest above al Others.
a. Impossible absolutely impossible he
said at once Why, you can know what
you are asking, ,ir. Not Il living soul cx
cept the officers who fought I'm the battle
can get To the banquet The rule is posi-
lively sacred The king is the one eXccp-
ton, and he has To consider himself "A priv
ileged guest
q" oh. we'll said in mock resentment,
Won insisted ON my naming some sight
which money could not buy, and the very
first mention beats you. Good day,
Sharp
- was turning away when the ready
wittcd fellow Sprang after me, and with a
show of spirit said:
Well, sir. you have put me TO the test
i will undertake L. show you the Waterloo
banquet tomorrow night. On this occa-
sion, however, you must obey my instruc-
tiOns. You must come, in evening dress,
TO the opposite side of Piccadilly from
Apslcy House, at o'clock punctually.
Keep your eye on the window directly OPP
posite to the side or east gate. You will
see me appear there exactly at the hour.
If l 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 aud shake my head,
all is wrong; you may 90 home. If all is
right, prepare To 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 rs | do, for | will be visible. And
then, sir, leave the rest to me.
We parted for the day and made sev-
eral calls in the afternoon, one of them,
strangely enough, on Sharp's former mas
ter. who urged me 10 come and dine with
him the following evening. holding ont ~
al induCemcnt that he would get several
mutual acquaintance with whom we
should be sure 10 have a night of fun and
story telling Of days gone by. / declined
again and again, saying was already en-
gagged.
Come, come said his lordship, put
your engagements Off; remember prom
Use you will meet those worthless. Do
"'Well, my lord l replied, Il may live
20 meet them again, but | shall never have
another chance Of my tomorrow night
engagement
''' Come, come On common expression Of
his lOrdships, who was rs good "a man as
ever favored glass of old port. What is
this great engagement you are SO bound
tor
Well, my lord am going to the Wa
terloo banquet tomorrow night.
You should have seen him whistle and
laugh as hc eXclaimed.
why, man, you can't possibly be SO
privileged. Even | could not go.
oh, l am quite aware of that, my
lord but l am going.
80 Come, come, how is this To be accom-
plishcdf he asked.
We'll, do you remember Sharp, whom
you had first as valet then as steward
years agoY lie has promised to let me see
this sight of all sights
"His lordship reflected short time and
then remarked:
We'll, sir, II that man Sharp has I'M
dertaken TO let you be present at the Wa
terloo banquet, he will fulfill his promise.
At n lcvee 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. / turned TO Sharp for help, and
he, rising TO the occasion at once, offered
his arm To one Of my sisters She took It,
and Sharp, asking us TO follow him, man
aged TO make his way through the press 10
side door which he opened. We found
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 I'm this way, we were able to
stand out the fatigues Of the levee. Yes
Sharp is wonderfully clever fellow
Next day was at my trysting place
in plenty Of time, but far from happy az
che role | expected 20 play / dreaded be
ing found out and disgraccd.
Prompt 20 time sharp appeared at the
window. His hands were high above his
head his face bcaming with delight. How
be happened TO be In Apsley House | never
found out. He was strange fellow. I
slowly walked across the street picking
my steps with unnecessary care. trying 10
anticipate the challenge Of the sentrics by
finding some plea for entrance All at
snco became aware Of some one shouting