The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-08-20

clothes. 10 also was m6tioniess snd
never q word we spoke Now we had not
stood very long when the Duke Of weliin6,
ton himself came down the stair and stood
stock still between us on the center OF tho
lowest step.
at was the hour Of arrival, and, stand
ing there, no received all the old heroes in
true military fashion. All seemed pune
tual to the minute. What sight II wasi
Veterans with legs awaiting, arms
a-wanting, lots not winged at all. None
without medals and orders purchased by
daring bravery.
~ 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 straightened
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 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. / was thinking how privileged I
had been, when, from behind, came friend
Sharp's voice, We'll, sir, how have you got
onP
"'Oh, first rate, said 1T was mag
nifcent. Now let me co.
mot at ALL The best Is yet to come
"He took me into the picture gallery
next the banqueting hall, where we found
the chief inspector again and several other
gentlemanly looking individuals. We OK
amined the pictures and fine old furniture,
Sharp going in and out as II 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 no 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
mementos Of this day
"Just fancy my feelings as I looked OF
the chief inspector and thought what a
fine job he could make of me- Shortly
after this Sharp desired me to be in readi-
ness to draw back onc-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 olink of the glasses, the
perfume Of the flowers.
81 stood in n recess of the gallery and
Toasted my eyes.
"As watched the old duke rose, glass
in hand, his steady eye upon the company.
A silence fell for a moment, and raising
his glass ho said In voice charged with
respect, pride and dignity, The kings
health Then, turning with bow, Sire,
your health. 1t was done with noble SIM
plioity. The company rose as one man.
tell you, str, If had shouted till the roof
rang and been shot for 1t wouldn't have
cared Talk Of patriotism My old spirit
was fury" Tin fact, ths old gentleman
seemed to have reached climax, fol
. 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 now no terrors
for me, and some others. Here we enjoyed
q most excellent supper.
AT last Sharp brought my overooat and
helped me into it, remarking as he did so,
BE careful, sir. In ono 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,