A SCOTCH FARMER AT A FEAST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2287, 22 November 1889, Page 3

A SCOTCH FARMER AT A FEAST

There is a story told about Lord Rosebery, ■which the correspondent of a Bradford paper hopes is true. One night last season Lady Rosebery was " at home " m Berkeley Square and nearly ererybody m London was bidden to attend. On the day before the party took place Lord Roseberry met m Piccadilly a Scotch farmer whom he had occasionally seen at election times m Midlothian. Following his natural impulse of kindliness, he invited the Scotchman to the evening party. He arrived m due time and m a costume which, broadly following the regulation for evening dress, was of a cut never seen m Berkley square. He walked about, looked at the company, and finally found his way to the supper room, where were spread all the delicacies of the season. The Scotchman had not been m the room ten minutes -when bang went a lobster sa'ad, half a chicken, a handful of meringues and a large plate of jelly. After this he began to trifle with the good things on the table. Seeing a glass dishoi olives, he, full of trust m the lesult of his general sampling, took a spoonful thinking they were something m the confectionary line. The result was not satisfactorly, and he slyly deposited the debris prior tfce table. He noticed the ladies all

about f?a'ing with evident de'ight a pleasant look ng vhing, pink or cream-coloured, eerved m saucers. He - ?^ r - 1 r "r« of these, and the servant gave ■■.■. • .. ...ml supply of ice cream, t c too., a. i^.^ s,i-oonful and conveyed it to his mouth. . A look of pained surprise crossed his countenance, but he was not going to disgrace his host. Hesh't bis eyes, closed his mouth firmly, and, with a few spasms, swallowed the ice. That was all very well for him. He was a strong man acenstomed to difficulties ; but he felt that, to avoid pain to others, someone should know about this Looking round, he saw Lord RosMiery talking to a group of ladies and gentlemen. Sidling up to him with a saucer of icecream m his hand, he plucked him by the sleeve. " I do not suppose you know it, my l>rd," he loudly whispered; "but I think I oueht to tell you. There has been a ! mistake somewhere, and this pudding'B froze." Lord Kosckery prjsped the position m a moment. With perfect courtsey, and wiih pretty appearance of critical enquiry he tasted* the ice cream. "So it is," he said. "That s very strange." He went oft to speak to one of the servants, and retu-ning, said, "Its all right ; lam told that this is a new kind of pudding they freeze on purpose;" and taking his friend's arm he led him from the room.