The Irish standard., 1898-02-05
on Sundays so that people may get q
glimpse of Mr.. Gladstone as he goes TO


church.
The next morning l made the first
move in the campaign which had PLAN
ned to gain the interview. went to
call upon Mr.. Stephen Gladstone, the
rector, for hoped that he might be able
to take me to his father, but the rev.
erend gentleman seemed very much in
fear Of his father, and though he
said he would like very much to take
me up to the castle. he was really afraid
to.
Il once took famous bishop up to
see my father" he said, land when got
there he wouldn't see him, so was plac-
ed in a very awkward position, and one
that 1 wouldn't care to get into again.
So I have never taken any one up there
SINCE"
Then tried to get some of the viii
layers to take me up, but one and all de-
clined at once, saying that it was entirely
out of the question. There yet remained
to me, however, one thing to do. 1 could
The beautiful castle was surrounded
by a great high wall and there was out
one entrance. this being guarded by
Watchmen. But. being boy, I had no
difficulty at all in effecting an entrance.
1 simply put on an air of calm indif-
ference and walked through as though
had perfect right to do so. OF course,
I was not stopped. and reached the great
hall entrance unmolested. Ringing Tie
bell told the footman that l wished to
see Miss Helen Gladstone
What name." he said.
"Oh, she doesn't know me-" I care
lessly replied. and tremblingly awaited
the appearance of the daughter of the
house. I knew that she had been a
principal of girls school and was about
40, but was not afraid. though the COM
bination was terrible one
Finally She came hurrying out IN o
sailor hat and an Elton suit She was
evidently ready to go somewhere and
asked me sharply what wanted l told
Gladstone. and told her about myself,
and then she seemed to recognize me.
so you're that boy that wrote down
here from London" she said. "Well,
didn't I tell you that you couldn't see
my father?" I said that she had, but
l couldn't accept her decision as final
At this she was incensed and said that
she had nothing more to say and went
abruptly into the house.
"Ill come back tomorrow morning."
called out to her.
well, you needn't" she called back
1T wont do you any good"
The next morning I again presented
myself at the door and Miss Gladstone
came to see me.
'Well." she remarked, "you beat any
thing I ever saw. Why do you persist
in coming here?" And then I cheerfully
delivered a speech that I had prepared,
and told her to ask her father If he
wouldn't see me. She finally said she
would ask him, though she knew it
wouldn't do any good.
OF course the "Grand Old Man" would
see me. lie would have seen me at first
if they had only explained my trip 10
him.
He was seated in great arm chair
when l entered his room and leaning
back among pile of cushions. He look
ed very, very feeble, as l am sure he is,
and could barely smile me welcome es
1 entered. 1t was he who opened the
conversation.
SO you are the American boy who has
worked his way to England" he said, in
one of the most melodious voices l have
ever heard l told him that l was in
deed that boy. "Tell me about your
trip" he said. and, of course, was
only too glad to relate the circumstances
of my start and my adventures thus far
to him. He was most appreciative
listener and seemed much interested ir.
my recital. ''You are surely enterpris-
ing he said, when had finished. "Arc
all Chicago boys enterprising?"
"Yes." l replied. Most all of them
are, and Chicago is an enterpris!ug
city,
II have always felt an interest in Chi
cago," the great statesman remarked.
And hastened to say that was glad t.
hear it.
1T is city after my own heart" he
continued, 80 enterprsing and so quick
to improve every chance"
"Tell me, Mr.. Gladstone" said l, after
awhile, "are you ever going to t,n,-r
politics agin?" mo, child" came 'Ae
unhesitating reply. II am done with af-
fairs of state"
and you never expect to live in l459-
don again." NO"
So it may be taken for granted that
Mr.. Gladstone has retired for good and
nothing whatever can ever induce Lin
to enter public life again. I learned that
he spends his days in reading and writ-
ing and has not the least care OF any
kind to worry him. Even the affairs
connected with the administration OF the
estate are attended to by other men,
bers of the family and the venera
statesman has nothing tn do Inf nocc 1t;