Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-10-04
AT THE BANQUET.

AT THE BANQUET.
He was factor or estate agent for one
Of the Oldest of the old Scotch families.
-Four generations had occupied the lands
in his time, and each succeeding nobleman
had honored him with confidence and
friendship. A stanch, 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 on one occasion,
met man in the streets whom I remem-
bered as having been at one time valet,
afterward steward, to Scottish nobleman.
He was a man with decided personal
ity, by no means bashful, Sharp by name
and sharp by nature. Recognizing me at
once, he saluted in his usual faultless
style, and stopped to exchange a few
pleasantries. Before we separated he re-
marked:
Now, sir, what can I do for you in
Londonp shall ever remember your
kindness in procuring good situations for
my sons and shall be glad to be Of any
service to you. Give me the opportunity
now.
II said was obliged to him, but really
every sight in London seemed to have a
money value-that had no difficulty.
"'Oh, but, sir, probably could get you
a sight that money could not buy. Now
try me-
"'Well, 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
oept the officers who fought in the battle
can get to the banquet. The rule is posi-
lively sacred. The king is the one excep-
ton, and he has to consider himself priv
ileged guest
"'Oh, WE'LL said in mock resentment,
you 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
witted fellow sprang after me, and with a
show of spirit said:
"'Well, sir, you have put me to the test.
will undertake to 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
Apsley House, at 5 o'clock punctually.
Keep your eye on the window directly op-
posite to the side or east gate. You will
see me appear there exactly at the hour.
If I 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 60 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 as do, for will be visible. And
then, sir, leave the rest to me-.
"We parted for the day, 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 acquaintance with whom we
should be sure to have night Of fun and
story telling Of days gone by. declined
again and again, saying I was already en-.
gagged:
"'Come, come, said his lordship, put
your engagements off, remember, prom.
ise you will meet those worthless. Do
"sWell, my lord, 1 replied, I may live
to meet them again, but shall never have
another chance of my tomorrow nights
engagement
"'Come, come "a common expression Of
hia lordshin's who was as Good n man az