The Winslow mail., 1897-05-22

and to Miss Hannah, the head house-
maid, and so affable to tha Misses
safah' Jane Eliza and Martha, subor-
dinate domestics, and so respectful to
Mr.. William, the footman. and so pa
ternal to Walter, the buttons that they
were all on good terms with him almost
before they knew where they were.
His conversation too U,os snicv
without being improper. and amusing
without being vulgar. Nor did he OBJ
trude his remarks unduly. AS Mrs.
Holly whispered behind her hand TO
Hannah, "The man knowed his Mace
and kept there" Mrs. Holly and Miss
Hannah were pleased TO smile al his
tunhy anecdotes; Mr.. William TO snig-
ger languidly; as for the four under
maids and the buttons they giggled
without reserve. The servants hall
waXed altogether quite iovial 1t was
obvious that our bow-legged bailiff. in
his social capacity, had scored a dis
tinct success.
Supper concluded, he addressed him
self to Mrs. Holly with an insinuating
and deferential air; at the same time
producing from one of his capacious
pockets large, fat case bottle.
You would be doing me great
honor, men," he said "ef you would
allow me-and hoping you don't think
it a liberty-to brew the company a
leetle bowl Of something hot"
Really, sir" replied cook, regard
ing the case bottle with a shocked yet
rather inQuisitive, expression, "that is
Il kewriOus request Of yours, upon mJ
word"
''The fack is, mem, / can't get on
without my glass o. sperrits And I
orlWays carries it about with me. But
it seems selfish like to drink it orl by
myself, especially when you've made me
so comfortable with my vittles; and if
you and the rest of the company would
be so kind as to join me in q brew of
punch you would obleege me extremely,
men,"
Mrs. Holly hesitated and looked at
Hannah. Hannah hesitated and look
ed at Mrs. Holly. The Misses Sarah,
Jane, Eliza Martha looked at each
other and Uttered. Mr.. William looked
at the ceiling, Master Walter at the
wall opposite. The truth was this:
Only beer, limited in amount and re-
stricted in strength, was allowed" to
the servants hail. And the prospect
of a glass of something hot was attrac-
tive. But here, as at other polite
boards, apparent eagerness for food or
drink was out of the question. And so
from sheer good breeding-everyone
hung back.
"COme now, men," pressed the bailiff,
insinuatingly.
"Well, SIR" said Mrs. Holly at last,
81 won't say you mustn't, but I could
MT touch a DROP
Hannah couldn't touch drop, either
Nor could Sarah, Jane, Eliza or Martha
William, however, was understood to
say that he didn't mind If he did. While
Walter gathering courage from Will
iam's example, expressed an opinion
in favor of nightcaps and volunteered
to fetch the kettle.
SO the kettle was fetched, and a bowl
and glasses and a soup ladle. Also-at
the bailiff's reQuest-lemons and loaf
sugar. Then he compounded a frag-
rant jOrum, with no unpracticed hand.
And right insidiously delicious did that
jorum smell. But the bailiff and VIII
lam and Walter were all too gallant to
drink unless the ladies gave them
lead. SO, not to disappOint them, Mrs.
Holly tasted a drop, Hannah a drop,
and Sarah, Jane, Eliza and Martha
drop apiece. And then William and
Walter and the bailiff several drops.
And everyone became pleasant and af-
fable and jocular; so that the servants
hall presented quite a rollicking scene.
While this tollity was in progress Mr..
Boffin walked in. The mirti was in
stantly checked upon his entrance and
everyone affected to be unconscious of
the punch bowl. The bailiff, however,
stood up, and addressing Mr.. Boffin
with great Difference explained the cir
cumstances under which he had taken
upon himself to brew the punch, and
ventured to hope that Mr.. BOffin would
cOndescend to pronounce an opinion
upon it, Mr.. Boffin did cOndescend.
and was kind enough to say, as he set
down his glass, that he had tasted
worse.
But wot l come in TO speak about"
the butler went on, ''is about your
sleeping accommodation tonight, my
man. There amt no bed aired ready, so
vOu'n have tO mako shift downstairs
on one Of the sofas in the all. If we'd
knowed that you was coming Ghis
with sarcasm) wed have got the best
spare room ready for YOU, you may be
sure"
"Oh, anything ii do for me. guvnor.
I'll be quite satisfied to sleep on the
floor, if you like"
we won't ask you to do that se.id
Mr.. BOffin, condescendingly "Hannah
see that this good man is provided
with blanket and piller, and sdow him
the way to the front ALL
And having wished the andersen
wants goodnight. and suggested that Il
was time they were going to bed. ne re-
tired to his own apartment (Which.
he had previously said 10 he mousse
keeper. its the first time i'll my life.
Mrs. Asprey, mem. that shall nave
laid down under the same roof with Il
bumbailiff. | know l shan't sleep a
wink for thinking Of it,
But the circumstances did not, Attei
all affect his repoSe. For he slept just
as we'll or bet fey than r.uoI