The evening times., 1895-08-10
AT WATERLOO BANQUET.
4 Scottish Factors Amazing Adven-
lures tn-Apsley House.

He was a factor, or estate agent, for
one of the oldest OF old Scotch families.
Four generations had occupied the lands
man had honored him with confidence
and friendship A stanch, tnsty man
was he, and of the good old-fashjoned
type. He had niany strange experiences.
Henejs his account Of one ofthen:
when IN London on Que occasion / met
nan in the streets whom remembered
as having been at one time valet afterwards
steward. to a Scottish noblen,an. He was
man with q decided personality, by no
means bashful. Sharp by name and sharp
bynature. Recognizing ME at once he esaluted
In his usual fuultiess style, and stopped
to exchange n few pleasantries. Before we
separated he remarked:
- Now sir, what can do for you In
London? 1 shall ever remember your kind
ness in procuring good situations for my
sons, and shall be glad to be of any Sc rvice
To you. Give me the opportunity now
Il said 1 was obliged to him. but really
every sight in London seemed to have a
money value-tbat had no difficulty
sOh. 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?
.'It was. to my mind, the occasion of in
terest above all others.
Impossible, absolutely impossible he
said at once. Why, you can't know what
you are asking, SIR Not q 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, well,' said in mock resentment,
you insisted on my naming ssme sight
which money could not buy, and the very
first I mention beats you. GoOd-day,
Sharp La.,,- - ---. .--'r
II was turning away, when the ready.
witted fellow sprang after me, and, with
a show of spirit, said:
"'Weli, sir, you have put me to the
test. 1 will undertake to show you the
Waterloo banquet Tomorrow night. On
this occasion, however, you must obey
my inst ructions. You must Come, In
evening dress, to the opposite side OF
Piccadiily from Apsley House at O'Clock
punctualiy. Keep your eye on the window
directly opposite tn the side or east gate.
You will see me appear there exactly at
the hour. If hold both arms above my
head and beekon to you with my hands
you may consider that all is right. II
you see me keep my arms down and shake
my head all is wrong: you may go home II
all is right, prepare to walk leisurely
no rs,stt ~ the which
you will find guarded by policemen as
arrive at the gate just as I do, for
will be visible. And then, sir, leave the
rest to me-
I'VE parted for the day, and 1 made sew
eral calls i'll the afternoon, one of them,
strangely enough, on sharp's former mas
ter, who urged me to come and dine with
him the follow ing evening holding out as an
induceineut that he would get several mu-
tual acquaintance with whom We should
be sure TO have night of fun I'd story
telling OF days gone by. 1 declined
again and again, saying was already en-
gagged.
Come, come" said his lordship, put
your engagement off. Remember. prom
ise VIII meet those WORTHLESS. Do
'' Well, my lord / replied, L may live
to meet them again, but shall never have
another chance of my tomorrow nights
engagement
" Come, come "a 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 bound to-
We'll, my lord, l am going to the Wa
terloo banquet Tomorrow night
You should have seen him whistle and
laugh as he exclaimed:
why, man, you can't possibly be 50
privileged; even / could not CO.