The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-12-07
Selected aNistrllany,
EXTRAORDINARY HOAXES OF THE
ODORE HOOK.

Theodore Hook was probably the most
inveterate practical joker that the
world has ever seen. Perhaps the most
happy and least TO be condemned of his
practical jokes occurred on the occasion OF
boating and picnic excursion up the river
Thames, made in company with The elder
Matthews, the commedian, and two other
friends. In the heat Of the day, the excur-
sionists were on the lookout for pleasant
landing-pace, in order to enjoy in shade
and shelter the refreshments they had
brought with them. One most inviting spot
presepted itself, aud Hook pointed it out
as suitable to their purpose, when his at
tention was directed to an enormous board
Which bore, in large letters, this terrible
warning
uNobody permitted to land here-Of Offenders
prosecuted with the utmost vigor of law"
Now, had the proprietor of the grounds
been aware of the party that Gay on the
river, he would have acted wisely in either
removing his Injunction; or in rewording it
The defiant affiche was sufficient, at least in
Hooks mind, to settle at once the question
of landing. Parties wore requested not to
land, and therefore, this party would land ;
and they did, all of them believing, except
their leader and instigator to this trespass
upon private property, that they might en-
10y the shade without offence or detection
during the repasT. But no sooner had they
disembarked upon the paradise than they
perceived little portly gentleman, with
fiery visage, coming at his utmost pace
down the slope from his villa. The more
tmid of the party were for retreating
SO Theodore. Looking significantly at the
others, lie pulled Matthews to one side,
ooolly took out his pocket book and pencil,
and then, without seeming to notice the
approaching stranger made memoranda in
his book, aud observations on the place to
his companion
At last the owner of the grounds, ap.
preaching near TO them, began to denounce
the invasion Of his premises, Hook, how.
| ever, pretended not to hear HIM but raised
his hand to his eyes as if to make an hori-
zon. in order to obtain a level, paced the
ground in measured steps, noted down his
! investigations, and at the same tilnei OBJ
served aloud to his friends that he thought
the canal might, with most propriety, be
cut through that Ahrnbbery; and turn di-
reclly across the front of the lawn. To be
sure it would be rather near the house, but
that could not be helps, and at present he
saw no other way of proceeding.
The hot, portly little man started, cooled
down, aud quickly changed his complexion
to paler hue.
What, sir F" said he, in evident fear and
timidity. "An TO understand that a ca
nal is to pass through these grounds Z"
Hook leisurely finished memorandum lie
was making, and then oarelessly answered
| in the Affirmative.
With great civility the gentleman re
marked that il was strange he had never
heard Of the project to which Hook replea
that he certainly ought to have been in
formed OF itj aud then number of ques
tions were put 10 him with great anxiety
as TO the probabilities Of The scheme being
carried out, etc. Theodore stated that ths
bill was then before Parliament-.that Q
great deal depended on his decision as Il
the fine the canal should lakeland that he
should not have vontured TO land wilhou'
apprizing the owner of the property of hi'
business but no time was 10 be LOST AZ