The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-06-14
ANECDOTE OF HOOK.

Pubiished biography OF that prince of prac-
ticAl joksrs aud hoaxers, Theodore Hook:
'Lounging up Soho Square, in the after.
noon, with Terry the actor, the nostriIs Of
the Promenaders were suddenly salu,ej
/. with concord Of sweet oders arising from
asPacious area. They stopped, snutfed
the greatful incense, and pccpiug down,
perceived through the kitchen window pro-
Parations for handsome dinner, evidently
90 the point Of being served.
sWhat feastr said Terry. Jolly dogs
should like to be one of,hcm.'
I'LL take any bet,' returned Hook, shat I
do; call Tor mo here ut ten o'clock, and you
will find that shall be able to give a toll
ossble account the worthy. gcntleman's
champagne and vcnison.' So saying, he
marched up and gave 40 authori,ive rap
with the knocker, and was quickly lost to
the sight Of his as.onished companion. As
. matter Of course, he was Immediately
ushered by the servant as an unexpected
guest, into the drawing room, where large
party had already assembled. The apart
men: being we'll nigh full, no notice was At
first taken Of bis intrusion, md half dozen
people were laughing at his bon mots, be.
fore the host discovered the mistake. AZ
feeting not to observe the embarrassment
Of the latter. and ingcniously avoiding any
opportunity for explanation, Hook ratified
on till he had attracted the greater part Of
tho company in n circle round him and
some considerable time had elapsed ere the
old gentleman was able 10 catch the atten-
ton Of the agreeable stranger.
Il beg your pardon, sir he said, contri-
wing at last 10 get in word; 'but your
name, sir did not quito catch it--scr-
wants are 10 abomipably incorrcct-nnd
am really little at loss
Don't apologize, hcg,' rraciouslv repli-
Cd Theodore; 'Sm,h--my name is Smith
and, - you Justly observe, servants nre
slwsys making some stupid blunder or an
other. remember q remarkable instance,
&c.
But really, nv dear sir con,ued The
host, at the termination of the story illus.
trative Of stupidity in servants; 4 think the
mistake on tho present occasion does no,
originate in the source you nlude to: GER
iainly did not anticipate the pleasure Of
Mr.. Smiths company at dinner today
NO: dare say not--yon said four 10
your note. know, and it is now, ] see, n
quarter past fye--you are little fast by
the way; but the fac. is, have been de-
tanned in the city--as was about to cx-
plain-'
Pray exclaimed the other, rs soon MS
DO could stay tho volubili,y Of his guest,
whom, may Task you, do you suppose YOU
are addressingY
'Whom? Why, Mr. Thompson, of course
old friend Of INV father. ] have not the
pleasure, indeed, of being personally known
to you, but having received your kind in
vitation Yesterday, ON nv arrival from Liv-
erpool--First street 4 o'clock--famly par
ty--come in bools-you see have taken
you at your word. lam only afraid have
kept you waiting
mo, no, no; ~ nll. But permit me to
observe, my dear sir, my name is not cx.
ac,ly Thompson, il is Jones, and
Jones" repeated the soi-disam Smith.
10 admirable assumed CONSERVATION; Jones
why. surely | cannot have--ycs, mus,
good heavens! SEQ all! Nv dear sir;
what an unfortunate blunder--wrong house
--what must you think OF such an intru-
sioni am really at loss for words in
which to apologise--you will permit me to
retire at present, and tomorrow
'Psay, don't think of retiring exclaim-
ed tho hospitablc old gentleman: .yonr
friends table mus. have been cleared long
ego. has you say four was the hour named,
and J am only too happy to be able to otter
you seat al mine
Hook, Of course, could not hear Of such
. thing could not think Of trcspnssing upon
tho kindness Of q perfect stranger; il too
late for Thompson, there were plenty Of
chop houses nj hsnd--Thc unfortunate |
part u the business was, he made On np-
pointment with gentleman 10 call at 10
o'clock. The good natured Jones. however,
positively refused to inflow so entertaining
. visitor 10 Withdraw dinnerless. Mrs.
Jones smiled bewiichinsly, and At las. Mr.. |
Smith, who soon recovered from his confu-
zion, was prevailed upon 10 offer bis urm
to one Il the ladies', aud take his plnce at
tho well furnished board.
in oil probability, the family Of Jones
never passed such an evening before
Hook naturally exertcd himself to tho ut.
most TO keep tho party in m uncensiog
Toar Of laughter. and made good tho first
impression. The mirih grew fast aud fur.
ous, when, bv way Of a coup de grace, he
seated himself At the piano forte, and struck
Of into ono Of those cxtemporaneous eff
sioos which had filed more critical Judges
than the Jonescs with delight and aslonisi,.
ment. Ten O'Clock struck, and Mr. Terry
bsiog announced. his triumphant friend
R0alnd IN Tia sansE ,su, a.s.~ Aka