Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-24

| once; you re keeping Dack all the prep
| arations. He seemed so very angry,
| that the sentries and policemen we've
completely taken in, as in fact l was
| myself in more senses than one.
"Once indoors, Sharp assured me all
I was right, but, for my part, 1 was
wishing myself anywhere but in APPS
ley house. In a side room where l
took off my OvercOat, l was introduced
to the duke of Wellington's house
steward, and-oh, mercy me.-to 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 my coat and go But the
fellow was as cool as ever I saw him.
and only said, Nonsense, sir SO here
was I, justice Of the peace and dep
uty lieutenant. to be exposed in APPS
ley house as an impostor. Sharp had
vanished, and I had to keep up a con-
versation with the chief inspector. I
was in desperate fright What I
| talked about I have not the smallest
| recollection
Then back came Sharp. as respect
| full now as ever. Come this way. if
| you please. sir I had to follow. He
led me into the grand hall, and
placed me at the foot of the staircase,
| on one side. telling me I was not to
move six inches till he came for me
again.
II obeyed.
after gathering my wits and look
ing round, I saw, opposite me, a
| 'boardly' man, like myself in every
way, even to the clothes. He also was
mOtionless. and never a word we
spoke. Now we had not stood very
long when the duke of Wellington
himself came down the stair and
stood stock still between us on the
center Of the lowest step.
cit was the hour of arrival. and.
| standing there, he received all the old
heroes in a true military fashion. All
! seemed punctual to the minute What
a sight it was! Veterans with legs
! a-Wanting, arms a-Wanting, lots not
| winged at all. None without medals
and orders purchased by daring BRAY
cry.
II felt my blood rise. To look at
such heroes was a glorious JOY. The
scene was worth 10 years of my life
| "a few minutes after the company
| had arrived, there was an extra stir
at the door. The group divided and
Strengthened up, and, sir, before | had
realized what had happened in came
the king. He walked through his old
warriors. and we'll he might look
proud of them. The duke stepped for
ward, bowed. and shook ha2ds. Then
up the stairs the two went, the duke
! one step behind his sovereign. The
officers followed and all was quiet.
been. when, from behind. came friend
| Sharp's voice. We'll, sir, how have you
got On?'
"'Oh. first rate I said 1T was
magnificent. Now let me GO
"'NOt at all; the best is yet to come
''He took me into the picture gal
lery, next the banGueting hall. where
we found the chief inspector again,
and several other gentlemanly-loOk-
| ing individuals. We examined the
pictures and fine old furniture, Sharp
going in and out as if he had the en-
| tire 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, 4 have plucked a feather
out Of the kings hat and one out of
the dukes. Keep them as mementoes
Of this day
"Just fancy my feelings as [ looked
at the chief inspector and thought
what fine job he could make of me.
| Shortly after this Sharp desired me to
be in readiness to draw back One-half
of large sliding 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
Eembly the Waterloo banquet. The
| table glittered with its plate and cryS-
tai: there was the great circle of gal
liant hearts. the king. the duke. The
| remembrance is still fresh as ever;
the gay uniforms. the bright light, the
| silver clink of the glasses, thG- per
fume of the flowers. I stood in re-
cess of the gallery and Toasted my
eyes.
'FAs l watched, the old duke rose,
glass in hand, his steady eve upon
the company. A silence fell for mo-
ment and, raising his glass, he said,
in a voice charged with respect, pride
and dignity. The kings health Then,
turning with a bow, Sire, your health.
1t was done with noble simplicity.
! The company rose as one man. | tell
YOU. sir. if I had shouted till the roof
rang. and been shot for it. l wouldn't
have cared. Talk of patriotism? My
old spirit was a fury" On fact the
old gentleman seemed to have reached
a climax, for words failed here.
"When the company broke up, /
was taken by the dukes steward to a
snug room. where [ again found my
friend. the chief inspector-who had
no terrors for me-and some others
Here we enjoyed a most excellent; sup,
per.
"At last Sharp brought my overcoat
and helped me into it, remarking as
he did so: BE careful, sir; in one
! DOclnt 7 have MT thp h3nd-rlaSS used