The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-09-26
tOh, I am quite aware Of that, my
=

/ Come, come, how Is this TO DE nc
complished? he asked.
well, do you remember Sharp,
whom you had first as valet, then rs
steward years ago. He has promised
to let me see this sight Of all sights
Ills lorlship reflected q short time,
and then he Remarked:
well sir, if th.tt man Sharp has IN
dertaken to let you be present at the
| Waterloo banquet. he will fulfill his
promise. Alta levee on one occasion he
was in attendance 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. managed to
make his way through the press to Il
side door, which he opened. We found
ourselves in II charming room, with
luncheon on the table. Sharp locked
The door. and, offering my sisters
chairs, we enjoyed an excellent re-
past and some good wine. Fortified
In this way, we were able to stand out
the fatigues of the levee. Yes, Sharp
| IS a wonderfully clever fellow.
L
place in plenty of time, but far from
being happy at the role l expected to
play. dreaded being found out and
disgraced.
''Prompt to time, Sharp appeared at
the window. His hands We're high
above his head his face beaming with
| delight. How lie happened to be in
Apsley House l rever found out. He
was Il strange fellow. I slowly walk
ed across the street. picking my steps
with unnecessary care, trying to anti
cipate the challenge Of the sentries by
finding some plea for entrance. All
at once l became aware of some one
shouting my name, and calling me a
great, numbering. dilatory fellow, who
was always late. I looked up in
amazcment, but Sharp, for Sharp it
was, only shouted the louder Come
away, confound you. come away at
once; you're keeping back all the pre-
palations.' He seemed so very an
cry that the sentries and policemen
We're completely taken i'll, and, in fact
l was myself in more senses than one.
"Once indoors, Sharp assured me
all was right, but, for my part, I was
wishing myself anywhere but in APPS
ley House. In the side room. where
took off my ove1cCat, | was introduce
ed to the Duke of Wellington's house
steward, and-oh, mercy me!-to the
chief of police in charge Of the force
on duty. This gave me 4 start that
l implOred Sharp to let me put On my
coat and go. But the fellow was as
cool as ever. I saw him and he only
said, Nonsense, sir. So here I was.
a justice of the peace and deputy lieu
tenant to be exposed in Apsley
House as an impostor. Sharp had van
ished, and | had to keep up a CONVEX
sation with the chief Inspector I
was in a desperate fright. What 1
talked about, l 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
lead me into grand hall, and placed
me at the foot Of the staircase, on
one side, telling me 1 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,
'boardly' man, like myself, in every
way even to his clothes He also was
motionless and never 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 Oh the center Of the lowest
step.
1T was the hour of arrival, and,
standing there, lie received all the old
heroes i'll a true military fashion, All
seemed punctual to the minute What
sight it was! Veterans with legs a.
wanting, arms awanting, lots not
winged at all. None without medals
and orders purchased by daring bray
cry.
Il felt my blood rise. To look at
such heroes was a glorious joy. The
scene was worth ten 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 war
rlors, 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 sovereign. The officers fol
lowed. and all was quiet. I was
IHiHhlHS NOW privileged L naQ Deen
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
''E1e took me into the picture gallery
next the banqueting hall, where
we found the chief inspector again,
and several other gentlemanly- looking
individuals. We examined the pic
lures and old furniture. Sharp going
in and out, as if he had the entire re-
sponsibility 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 a side
whisper, I have plucked feather out
of the kings hat, and one out Of the
dukes. Keep them as mementoes of
this day. d. ~
Just fancy my feelings as I looked
Mt 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 a large sliding-doo=, so as to
throw the gallery into the banquet