Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-08-23

lily name, anu fhllliR INC Il great lulhbtT'
Ing dilatory fellow, who was always late.
l looked mp In amazcmcnt but sharp, for
sharp it was, only shouted the louder:
Come away, confound you; come away
al once! You re- keeping back all the prep
arat ions. He seemed 80 very angry that
the ,cntrics and policemen were complete
~ taken ia, a., in fact, | was myself in
more scnses than one.
"Once indoors, sharp assured me all
was right, but, for my part ! was wishing
myself anywhere but In Apslcy House In
side room where took of my ovcrcoat,
! was introduced 10 the Duke Of yelling
tons house steward, and-oh, mercy mel
TO the chief inspector of police in charge
Of the force ON duty. This gave me such "A
start that implorcd sharp 10 let me put
on my coat and go. But the fellow was a.
cool a. ever l saw him, and only said,
Nonsense, sir 30 here was !, a justice
of the peace and deputy Lieutenant, 10 be
exposed i'm Apsloy House rs an impostor.
sharp had vanished, and | had 10 keep up
conversation with the chief inspector.
was i'm a desperate fright What | talked
about | have not the smallest recollection.
"Thcn back came Sharp, rs respectful
now ~ ever Come this way. if you please,
sir had 10 follow. He led me into the
ground hall and placed me at the foot Of
the staircase on one side, telling me | was
not To move six inches till he came for me
again.
Il obcyed.
"After gathering my wits and looking
round, | saw opposite me, hoardly'
man. like myself in every way. even 10 the
clothes He also was motionlcss, and
never a word we spoke. Now we had not
stood very long when the Duke of Yelling
ton himself came down the stair and stood
stock still between Us on the center of the
lowest step.
at was the hour Of arrival, and, stand
ing there, he received all the old heroes in
a true military fashion. All seemed pune
tual To the minute. What "A sight il was
Veterans with legs a-wanting arms
a-wanting. lots not winged at all. None
without medals and orders purchased by
daring bravery
Il felt my blood rise. To look at such
heroes was a glorious joy. The scene was
worth ten years Of my life.
." \ 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 camc 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. l was thinking how privileged !
had been, when, from behind, came friend
Sharps voice. Well, sir, how have you got
onY
"'Oh, first rate, said 1t was mag
niflccnt Now let me GO.
- Not at all. The best Is yet 10 come
"IIe took me into the picture gallery
next the banqucting hall, where we found
the chief inspector again and several other
gcntlemauly looking individuals. We ex
amined the pictures ana fine old furniture
Sharp going i'm and out as il 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 he had done SO,
he explained in n side whisper: L have
plucked "a feather ont of the kings hat
and one out Of the dukes Keep them as
mementos Of this day
"Just fancy my feelings rs l looked at
the chief inspector and thought what "a
fine job he could make of me shortly
after this Sharp desired me to be in rcadi-
ness to draw back half of a large slid
ing door so rs 10 throw the gallery into
the banquetng 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,
rs the doors slid back, was the brilliant as
sembly the Waterloo banquet. The table
glittcrcd with its plate and crystal. There
was the great circle Of gallant hearts, the
king, the duke. The remembrance is still
fresh rs ever, the gay uniforms, the bright
light, the silver clink Of the glasses, the
perfume of the flowers
81 stood in "a recess Of the gallery and
Toasted my eyes.
"As ! watched the old duke rose, glass
in hand, his steady eye upon the company.
y silence fell for moment, and raising
his glass he 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
plicity The company rose as one man. l
toll you, sir, If had shouted till the roof
rang and been SHOT for il wouldn't have
cared. Talk of patriousm My old spirit
was fury. Gin fact, the old gentleman
seemed To have reached climax, for
words failed here.)
"Whcn 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
"a most excellent supper.
AT last sharp brought my overcoat and
helped me into it, remarking as he did SO,
BE careful, sir. In one pocket l have put
the handglass used 10y the king, in the
other the one used by the duke They are
wrapped i'm paper And be- careful, also
sir of the feathers "-Cornhill Maya
zine.
The Telephone Ear.
II Is somewhat strange that the new
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