An Enterprising Tradesman.

Hastings Standard, Issue 174, 18 November 1896, Page 4

An Enterprising Tradesman.

An amusing little incident recorded by the Manchester Guardian took place at the Ilawardon fete on Tuesday afternoon, during the choir competition. After Mr Gladstone had finished his speech, in which he praised the musical genius of tiie Yorkshire people, and in the interval between two concerted pieces, sung by a choir from Gain borough, a man, carrying a deal box under his arm, advanced to the front of the terrace of the Castle, and, with a ceremonious bow, introduced himself to Gladstone and the assemblage below as the bearer of a present to Mrs Gladstone. The stranger was proceeding to make some general remarks when Mr Herbert Gladstone, evidently apprehending a set oration, plucked the gentleman by the sleeve. The litter thereupon turned to Mrs Gladstone, and opening the lid of his box disclosed to view an assortment of gorgeously decorated packets containing samples of an article which the donor described as " filet soap," made —he took care to add —by Messrs So-and-so. Mr Gladstone gasped, then burst into irrepressible laughter, in which he was joined by everyone round. T ho circle rang with merriment, the only person who retained his composure being the giver of the soap. That individual seemed actually to be contemplating another attempt at a speech when Mr Herbert Gladstone again interposed, this time with some peremptoriness, and the unabashed ambassador of commerce had to content himself with the genial observation that lie had always cherished a tender affection for children. The application of this remark was se, 11 when he turned to Miss Dorothy Drew, and producing a second lot of samples made ber a present of the whole box. Miss Drew, it must said, seemed to derive more gratification from the gift than her grandmother found in hers. She had one ot the packets out at once, with an obvious intention of putting the article to a test at the earliest opportunity.