A Comical Story.

Manawatu Herald, 13 January 1898, Page 2

A Comical Story.

A comical story (says the London correppondent of the lianchttkr Guardian) comes from the reception given by Lord and Lady Ltangattock . at tho Hotel Cecil, on November^' 16th, in connection with in* annuaj Conference of the National Union of Conservative Associations. A delegate was strolling along a corridor, when he .espied disappearing in the distance, a portly gentleman whom he thought be recognised at a genial colleague not seen since the. last conference. He hastened, hit steps, and felt convinced that h* was right. Then he stole forward silently, and, thinking to give bis friend, who seemed lost in medita* tion, a pleasant surprise, he bestowed upon him a hearty slap on the back, saying, " Hello, old boy, politics continue to agree with yog, eh ?" The portly gentleman turned •lowlyround and revealed the features of the Marquis of Salisbury, who Mid. smiling pleasantly, '* Yes, thank you, politics do continue to agrjte with me." The delegate, horrorstruck at his mistake, mumbled a confused apology and beak a hasty retreat. The Prime Minister seems to have enjoyed the joke, for later in the evening he was relating to several friends some incident which provoked him aad them to a great deal of laughter.