Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-24
AT THE WATERLOO BANQUET.
Where the Iron Duke and Other Vet
Grams Drink Health of the King.

for one of the oldest of the old Scotch
families. Four generations had occu-
pied the lands in his time, and each
succeeding nobleman had honored him
with confidence and friendship \
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 /
remembered as having been at one
time valet. afterward steward, to a
Scottish ncbleman. He was man
with q decided personality, by no
means bashful, Sharp by name and
sharp by nature. Recognizing me at
once, he saIuted in his usual faultless
style, and | stopped to exchange a few
pIeasantries. Before we separated he
remarked
'''NoW, sir, what can I do for YOU
in London? | shall ever remember
your kindness in procuring good stu
atoms for my sons, and shall be glad
to be of any service to you. Give me
the opportunity now
really every sight in London seemed
to have a money value-that | had no
difficulty.
"'Oh, but, sir, I 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 tomor-
row?'
ct was to my mind the occasion
of interest above all others.
Impossible, absolutely IMPOSSIBLE
he said at once. why, you can't
know what you are asking, sir. Not
a living soul except the officers who
fought in the battle can get to the
banquet. The rule is positively sacred.
The king is the one exception, and
he has to consider himself a privileged
guest
"'Oh, WE'LL said I, in mock resent
ment you insisted on my naming
some sight which money could not
buy, and the very first [ mention beats
you. Good day, Sharp
81 was turning away, when the
ready-witted fellow sprang after me,
and with a show of spirit said:
We'll, sir, you have put me to the
test. [ will undertake to show you
the Waterloo banquet tomorrow night.
On this occasion, however, YOU must
obey my Instructions You must come,
in evening dress, to the opposite side
of Picadilly from Apsley house, at
5 O'Clock punctually. Keep your eye
on the window directly opposite to the
side or east gate. You will see me
appear there exactly at the hour. If
/ 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 go
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 soldiers.
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
several calls in the afternoon, one Of
them, strangely enough, on ,Sharp's
and dine with him the following even
ing, holding cut as an inducement that
he would get several mutual acQuaint-
ances with whom we should be sure
to have a night of fun and ttory-tell-
ing of days gone by. | declined again
and again, saving | was already en-
gagged.
"'Come, come said his Iordship
put your engagement off. Remem-
Der l promise YOU will meet those
worthless. Do
"Wel, my lord I'repled, I may
live to meet them again, but l shall
never have another chance of my to
morrow nights engagement
Come come ca common expression
of his lordship'S, who was as good a
man as ever favored a glass of Old
port. What is this great engagement
you are so bound toy
"'Wel, my lord. | am going to the
Waterloo banquet tomorrow night.
You should have seen HIM whistle
and laugh as he exclaimed:
"'Why, man. you can't possibly be
so privileged; even [ could not go
con, am quite aware of that, my
lord. but I am going
"'Come, come. how is this to be ac-
compliShed?' he asked.
"Well do YOU remember Sharp,
whom you had first as valet, then as
steward years ago? He has promised
to let me see this sight Of all sights
His lordship reflected a short time,
and then remarked:
"'Wen. sir. if that man Sharp has
undertaken ito let you he present at
the Waterloo banquet, he will fulfil
his promise. At 4 leyee on one Occa-
sion he was in attendance on my two
sisters and myself. The crush was I'M
usually great, and one of my sisters
grew faint, the other very nervous.
I 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 fol
low him. managed to make his way
through the press to a side door, which
he opened We found ourselves in a
charming room, with luncheon on the
table. Sharp locked the door, we en-,
Joyed an excellent repaSt and some
good wine. Fortified in this way. We