Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1895 — The Duke and the Workman. [ARTICLE]

The Duke and the Workman.

On a certain occasion the late Lord Derby had some workmen In one of his mansions for the purpose of painting and decorating. The floor of the central hall was in course of being painted, and a tall and powerfully built young man was at work on one of the walls, when Lord Derby entered, and giving orders that a number of slippers were to be placed on the door mat, requested the young man to see that any one coming In should put on a pair of the slippers before crossing the passage, and added: “If any one refuses to do It, you must take him by the shoulder and turn him out.” A short time after this a hunting party passed by, and the Duke of Wellington, with his boots dreadfully splashed with mud, opened the door and hurried along the hall. Seeing this, the young man Immediately Jumped off the ladder on which he was painting, and seizing the Intruder hy the shoulder, pushed him out of the house. The painter did not know tho Duke, and had no idea as to the identity of the person he had used so roughly.

Shortly afterward Lord Derby heard of the affair, and summoned all the household and men at work to his study, and demanded to know who had treated the Duke of Wellington In such an impertinent manner. Imagining that he would be Immediately dismissed, the painter came forward, and in a trembling voice said: “It was I, my Lord.” “And pray how came you to do such a thing?” demanded Lord Derby. “By your orders, my Lord,” replied the young painter. Hearing this, the Duke at once turned round to Lord Derby, and, smiling, drew a sovereign out of his purse, and handing it to the astonished painter said: "Yon were quite right to obey seders.”