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

uAu hobofch WAth CohhtchOu Nhb
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, i
met o man In the streets whom 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 I stopped to exchange a few
pleasantries. Before we separated he re-
marked:
"fNow, 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
81 said was obliged TO him, but really
every sight In London seemed to have q
money value--that had no difficulty.
".0h, but, sir, probably could get you
sight that money could not buy. Now
try me-
"tweli, then, Sharp could you take me
to tho Waterloo banquet tomorrow
at 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 living soul ex.
cept the officers who fought in the battle
can get to the banquet. The rule Is posi-
lively sacred. The king is tho one excep.
ton, and he has to consider himself priv.
ileged guest.
"Oh, we'll, 1 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 coca
sion, however, you must obey my instruc.
tions You must come, in evening dress,
10 the opposite side of Piccadilly from
Apsley House, at 8 o'clock punctually.
Keep your eye on the window directly op-
posite to the side or east gate. You win
see me appear there exactly at the hour.
II 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. II all is
right, prepare to walk leisurely across the
street toward the gate, which you will find
guarded by policemen as we'll 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-
1--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 tho following evening, holding out as
an inducement that he would get several
mutual acquaintance with whom we
should be sure to have a night of fun and
story telling Of days gone by. declined
again and again, saying was already en-.
gagged.
Come, come, said his lordship, put
| your engagements off; remember, prom.
Use you will meet those WORTHLESS. Do
"'Well, my lord, 1 replied, Il may live
to meet them again, but shall never have
| another chance Of my tomorrow nights
engagement
leone, come "a common expression OF
| his lordship's, who was as good II man as
| ever favored glass of old port). What is
this great engagement you are so bound
| tor
"'Well, my lord, am going to the.Wa-
| terloo banquet tomorrow night
'tYou should have seen him whistle and
laugh as he exclaimed:
"'Why, man, you can't possibly be Sc
privileged. Even could not go.
"'Oh, 1 am quite aware of that, my
lord, but am going
"'Come, come, how is this to be accom-.
| plishedY he asked.
We'll, do you remember Sharp, whom
you had first as valet, then as steward
years agoP He has promised to let me see
this sight Of all sights
| Ellis lordship reflected {. short time and
then remarked:
"'WelJ, sir, If that man Sharp has un.
dertaken to let you be present at the Wa.
terloo banquet, he will fulfill his promise.
At levee on one occasion he was in at.
tendance on my two sisters and myself.
The crush was unusually great, and one
of my sisters grew faint; the other very
nervous. / 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 follow him, man
aged to make his way through the press to
a side door, which he opened. We found
ourselves in charming room with lunch
con on the table. Sharp locked the door,
and offering my sisters chairs we enjoyed
an excellent repast and some good wine.
Fortified In this way, we were able to
stand out the fatigues of the levee. Yes,
Sharp is wonderfully clever fellow.
"Next day l was at my trysting place
| Ill phhutJ Va tihoI bup ioE lEOlI libppy hb
the role l expected to play, dreaded be-
ing found out and disgraced.
Prompt to time, Sharp appeared at the
window. His hands were high above his
| head, his face beaming with delight. How
he happened to be in Apsley House 1 never
found out He was strange fellow. I
| slowly walked across the street, picking
my steps with unnecessary care, trying TO
anticipate the challenge of the sentries by
finding some plea for entrance. All at
once became aware of some one shouting
my name, and calling me great, lumber.
ing, dilatory fellow, who was always late.
| looked up In amazement, but Sharp, for
| Sharp it was, only shouted the louder:
! Come away, confound you; come away
at oncei You re keeping back all the prep
arations.' He seemed so very angry that
the sentries and policemen were complete
| ly taken in, as, in fact, l was myself In
more senses than one.
'Once indoors, Sharp assured mo all
was right, but, for my part, was wishing
| myself anywhere but in Apsley House. In
| side room where took OFF my overcoat
| was introduced to the Duke of Yelling
toms house steward, and-oh, mercy mel
to the chief inspector of police in charge
of the force on duty. This gave me such
start that implored Sharp to let me put
on my coat and go. But the fellow was as
cool as ever 1 saw him, and only said,
Nonsense, sir So here was J. a justice
of the peace and deputy lieutenant, to be
exposed in Apsley House as an impostor.
Sharp had vanished, and 1 had to keep up
a conversation with the chief inspector. I
was in desperate fright. What talked
about have not the smallest recollection.
"Then back came Sharp as respectful
now as ever Come this way, II you please,
ID II t.A 49, all II Lad Nt.As@
ground hall and placed mo at the foot Of
the staircase on one SIDE telling me was
not to move six inches till he came for me
again.