The North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1834-1850, 1850-08-28
ANECDOTE OF HOOK.

Lounglng Oy Soho Square In the afternoon, with
Terry the actor the nostrls of the promenaders
suddenly saluted with concord fsweet odors aris.
ing from spacious area. They stopped, snufed the
grateful incense. and peepng down, perceived thro'
the kitchen window preparations for handsome din
ner; evidently on the point of being served.
What feast' said Terry. Jolly dogs!
should like to make one Of them.''
I'M take any bet,'' returned Hook, ssthat do
call for me here at ten o'clock, and you'll find that
shall be able give tolerable account of the worthy
gentleman's champagne and vension.'
So saying he marched up to the steps, gave an au-
thortatve rap with the knocksr, and quickly lost
to the sight of his astonished companion. As mat
ter of course he Immediately ushered by the SER
want, as expected guest, into the drawing room,
where a large party had already assembled. The a.
parment being we'll nigh full, no notice at first
taken of his intrusion, and half dozen people
mistake. Affecting not to observe the visible embar-
rassment of the latter, and ingenousy avoiding any
opportunity for explanation Hook ratified on until he
had attracted the greater part of the company in circle
round him, and some considerable time had elapsed
the old gentleman able to catch the atte non
of the agreeable stranger.
Il beg your pardon, SIR he said, contriving at
last to get word; shut your name, sir-l did not
quite catch it-servants are abominably Incorrect
and 1 am really little at loss
Don't apologize, beg graciously replied The
odore "Smith-my name is Smith-and as you
pid blunder or other-I remember a remarkable in
stance" &c.
sBat really, my dear SIR continued the host, at
the termination Of story illustrative Of the stupidity
of servants IL think the mistake the present oc-
casion does originate in the source you aude to
company at dinner to-day
mo, dare say not-you said in your note, know
and it is now, see quarter past hve-you are a
little fast by the way; but the fact of the matter is
- = H. olos,k
'Pny,' exclaimed the other, as soon as he could
stay the volubility of his guest, whom. may ask
you, do you suppose you are addressing?'
Whom! Why, MIR. Thompson, of course; an old
friend of my father. have not the pleasure indeed
ed your kind invitation yesterday my arrival from
Liverpool, Firth street-four o'clock family party
come in boots-you see 1 have taken you at your
word. 1 am only afraid have kept you waiting.'
sOh, not at all. But permit me to observe, my
dear sir, my name is not exactly Thompson it is
Jones, and
'Jones?' repeated the sol disant Smith, in admirably
assumed CONSERVATION; sJones-why surely cannot
have-yes, must-good heaven! see it all My
dear sir. what blunder-wrong house-what must
you think Of such an intrusion! am really at loss
for words in which to apologlze-you will permit
me to retire at present, and Tomorrow"
Pray, don't think of retring, exclaimed the hos
pitable old gentleman, your friends table must have
been cleared long ago, it, you say, four was the
hour named, and am only too happy to offer you a
seat at mine.'
Hook, of course, could not hear of such a thing,
could think of trespassing upon the kindness of
perfect stranger;if if late for Thompson, there
were plenty of chophouses at hand; the unfortunate
part of the business was, he had made an appoint
ment with gentleman to call at 10 o'clock. The
good-natured Jones, hover positively refused to allow
SO entertaining visitor to withdraw dnnerless.
Mrs. Jones Joined in solicitations, the Misses Jones
smiled bewitchingly, and at last Mr.. Smith, who
soon recovered from his conasion was prevailed up
on to offer his arm one of the ladies', and take his
place at the we'll furnished board.
In all probability. the family of the Jones' never
passed such an evening before. Hook naturally ex-
erted himself to the utmost to keep the party in an
unceasing roar of laughter, and made good the
first impression. The mirth grew fast and furious.
when, by way of coup de grace, he seated himself
at the Piano Forte and struck off into one of those
extemporaneous illusions which had filled more crit
ica judges than the Jones' with delight and aston
ishment. Ten o'clock struck, and MIR. Terry being
announced, his triumphant friend wound up the
performance with the following stanza:
81 am very much pleased with your fare,
Your cellars as prime as your cook.
My friends Nh. Terry, the player,
And I'm Mr.. Theodore Hook!'