The St. Johns herald., 1897-04-03

,oid and so affable to the Misse
 sarah. Jane, Eliza and Martha, subor dinate domestics, and so respectful t
 MT. William, the footman, and so pa ternal to Walter, the buttons, that the.
 were all on good terms with him almos
 before they knew where they were.
 His conversation. too, was Spicy
 without being improper, and amusing
 without being vulgar. Nor did he ob
 trnda his remarks unduly. AS Mrs
 Holly whispered behind her hand tC
 Hannah 'The man knOwed his place and kept there" Mrs. Holly and Mis-!
 Hannah were pleased to smile at hi: funny anecdotes; Mir. William to snig ger languidly; as for the four under maids and the buttons they giggleG without reserve. The servants hal waxed altogether quite jovial. It was obvious that our bow-legged bailiff, ir his social capacity, had scored 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 a large, flat case bottle.
 You would be doing me 8 great honor, men," he said, ''ef you would allow me-and hoping you don't think it liberty-to brew the company a leetle bowl of something hot"
 Really, sir" replied cook, regard l II, ,l, rather inquisitive, expression, that is a kewriOuS request of yours, upon my word.''
 ''The fack is, mem, 1 can't get on without my glass O sperrits. And l orlways carries it about with me. But 1 it seems selfish like to drink 1t Orl by myself, especially when you've made me so comfortable with my vittles; and ii you and the rest of the company would be so kind as to join me in a brew of punch you would obleege me extremely, mem."
 1 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. MT. 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 hall And the prospect of 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, lnsinuatingly.
 Well, sir," said Mrs. Holly at last, q won't say you mustn't, but I could n't touch a drop."
 Hannah couldn't touch a drop. either. Nor could Sarah, Jane, Eliza or Martha. William, however, was understood to say that he didn't mind if be did. While Walter gathering courage from Will jams example, expressed an opinion in favor of nightcaps and volunteered to fetch the kettle.
 So the kettle was fetched, and bowl and glasses and soup ladle. AlsO-at the bailiff's reQuest-lemOns and loaf sugar. Then he compounded a frag- rant forum, with no unpracticed hand. And right insidiouSly delicious did that forum smell. But the bailiff and Will jam and Walter were all too gallant to drink unless the ladies gave them a lead. So, not to disappoint them, Mrs Holly tasted a drop, Hannah a drop. and Sarah, Jane, Eliza and Martha a 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 jollity was in progress Mir BOffin walked in. The mirth was in- stantly checked upon his entrance and everyone affected to be unconscious of the punch bowl. The bailiff. however. stood up, and addressing MT. Bofin with great deference explained the cir cumstances under which he had taken upon himself to brew the punch, and ventured to hope that Mir. BOffin would cOndeScend to pronounce an opinion upon it. Mir. BOffin did condescend. and was kind enough to say. as he set down his glass, that he had tasted worse
 But wOt come in to speak about" the butler went on. "is about your sleeping accommodation tonight my man. There ain't no bed aired ready. so 1 T0u'll havo fO maLyo chif% Joxrno+Ci,- on one of the sofas in the 'all If we'd i knOwed that you was coming" (hls ! with sarcasm) wed have got the best l spare room ready for you, you may be sure"
 "Oh, anything II do for me, guv'nor. 1 I'll he quite satisfied to sleep on the floor, if you like''
 We won't ask you to do that" scid MT. BOtfin. condescendingly. "HanDdE see that this good man is provided with blanket and piller. and gdOw hin, the way to the front ali"
 And having wished the under-S.r- wants goodnight, and suggested that t was time they were going to bed. he re- tired to his own apartment Which" he had previously said to he mousse keeper. its the first time in my life. Mrs. Asprey. mem, that shall have laid down under the same roof with q l know 1 shan't sleep a wink for thinking of it.
 But the circumstances did not. after all, affect his repOse For he slept just as we'll, or better than usual
 
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