Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-04-21
NOW raEoponE HOOK GOT DINNER.

NOW THEODORE HOOK GUT DiNNEn'
"Lounging up Soho Square in the after.
noon with Terry the actor, the nostrils OF
the promcnadcrs were suddenly saluted
with concord of sweet odors from spa
cious area. They stopped, snuffed the
grateful incense, and peeping down per-
ceived through the kitchen window pre-
parations for handsome dinner, evidently
on the point of being served.
uWkat a feastn said Terry. Jelly
dogs! / should like to make, one OF then'.'
HT'll take any bet,' returned Hook, shat
I do--csll for ,ne at ten O'Clock, and you
will find that ] shall be able to give a tol-
erable account of the worthy gentleman's
champagne and venison." So saying, he
marched up tbe steps, gave an authoritative
ran with the knocker, and was quickly lost
10 the sight Of his astonished companion..-
AZ matter OF course he was Immediately
ushered by the servant as an expected guest,
into the drawing-room, where a large party
had already assembled. The apartment be-
ing well nigh full, no notice was at first
taken of his intrusion, and halt dozen
people were laughing at his boa-mots, be-
fore the host discovered the mistake. Af-
fecting not to observe the visible embarrass-
ment Of the latter, and ingeniously avoid
ing any opportunity for explanation, Hook
ratified on till he had attracted the greater
part of the company in a circle round him,
and some considerable time had elapsed ere
the old gentleman was able to catch the at
tention Of the agreeable stranger.
"sI beg your pardon, SIR he said, con-
triving at last TO get in word 'but your
name, sir-I did not quite catch it-ser-
wants are so abolninably incorrect--and ]
am really little at loss
"sDon't apologize, beg,' graciously re-
piled Theodore 'Smith-my name is Smith
--and, as you justly observe, servants are
always making some stupid blunder or
another. | remember a remarkable in
stance,' sc
"'But really, my dear SIR continued the
host, at the termination Of the story illusira-
tive OF stupidity in servants: Il think the
mistake on the present occasion does not
originate in the source you allude to; GER
tainly did not anticipate the pleasure OF
Mr.. Smiths company at dinner to-day
"sNo, dare say not--you said four in
your note; know, and it is now, see, a
quarter past five--you are little fast by
:he way; but the fact is, l have been de-
tanned in the city--as / was about to ex-
plain when--'
"'Pray,' explained the other, as soon as
he could stay the volublity of his guest,
'whom, may ] ask you, do you suppose you
are addressing! p
"'Whom Why Mr.. Thompson, Of
course--old friend Of my father. have
not the pleasure, indeed, Of being personally
known to you, but having received your
kind invitation yesterday, on my arrival
from Liverpool, Firth Street-four O'Clock
Family party--come in boots-you see
/ have taken you at your word. ! am only
afraid l have kept you waiting"
".No, no, not at all. But permit me to
observe, my dear sir, my name is not ex-
actly Thompson, it is Jones, and
"Jonesn repeated the soi-distan Smith,
in admirably assumed CONSERVATION 'Jone:
why surely cannot havc-yes, l must
good heaven l see it all! My deal
sir, what an unfortunate blunder-wrons
house-what must you think of such an in.
trusion. am really at loss for words ir
which to apologize-you will permit me tc
retire at present, and tomorrow
"'Pray don't think of retiring,' exclaim
ed the hospitable old gentleman, 'youl
friends table must have been cleared Ions
ago, if, as you say, four was the hour named
and l am only too happy to be able to oiiel
YOU a seat at mne.'
"Hook, of course, could not hear OF sucf
thing--could not think OF trespassng upor
the kindness Of perfect stranger; if toe
late for Thompson, there were plenty o
chop-houses at hand; the unfortunate par
of the business was, he had made an ap
pointment with gentleman TO call at ter
o'clock. The good-natured Jones, how
ever, positively refused to allow SO enter
tanning a visitor to withdraw dinnerlcss.-
Mrs. Jones Joined in solicitations, the Misse
Jones smiled bewitchingly; and, at last Mr.
Smith, who soon recovered from his conlu
sion, was prevailed upon to offer his arm t.
one of the ladies, and take his place at tn,
swell furnished board
"'In all probability the family Of Jone
never passed such an evening before. Hoo
naturally eXerted himself to the utmost t
keep the party in an unceasing roar G
laughter, and make good the first inprrs
sion. The mirth grew fast and furiou.
when, by way Of coup de grace, he seate
himself at the o-iorte, and struck 0
into one of those cXtemporaneous etlusior
which had filled more critical Judges tina
the Joneses with delight aud astonishmen
Ten O'Clock struck, and on Mr.. Terry be
ing announced, his triumphant irien
wound up the performance with the e,
p!analory stanza tr
81 am very much pleased with your fare,
Your cellars prime as your cook;
My friends Mr.. Terry, the player,
And I'm Mr.. Theodore Hook"