Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-03-05
DAILY DEMOCRAT.
A Society Honx.

A recent sell on Mrs. Harrison Gray
Otis, leader Of fashion in Boston, 10 said
to have been feeble imitation OF the f.
nous "Bernes street hoax" played BY The
odore Hook of London, Of which the follow
ing anecdote is given:
Hook. who had previously play ed aim
liar trick in small way, successfully ard
alone, upon o quiet and peaceable Quaker,
determined to Try his malicious wit upon
siupendous scale, and called to his aid an
other mad wag about to IN, and wsl-known
actress OF that Gay.
Having fixed upon their victim, Mrs.
Totienham, residing at No. "a Bsrncs street,
. very respectable lady Of family and for.
tune, they begun their mischievcus work
Probably the same amount Of time and Ia
Dor was never spent upon 90 foolish and
frivolous purpose.
"Six weeks we're employed In making
preparations. About iour thousand letters,
biIls,s, and circulars we're written, and ad-
dressed under various prstsnses. which, at
the appointed time, was duly dispatched
10 the innocent and unsuspsc,ing rartiss.
"Iu order TO witness the effect Of their
arduous labors, apartments were quietly
engaged directly opposite the dwelling Of
the gentle Mrs. Tottcnhan, where they
might observe the progress and result IN
safety.
"1he appointed day had hardly begun TO
dawn. when . bevy Of chimney sweeps
we're gath cred before the door Of the devoted
| No. 81, Scarcely had the early risen house
servants dismissed them, under the impress
a,on of 4 general mistake, when . heavy
wagon of coal rumbled along toward the
same destination, blocking up the thorough
fare. while the oa,hs and imprecations OF
the drivers commenced the noisy uprosr.-
Anon various mechanics, artisans and rep
resentativss of almost every trade continu-
aily arrived TO swell the tumultuousl crowd
gathered before the unfortunate mansion.
| Throughout the morning the beguilsd pso-
| ri. kent coming from all directions. Con-
fec,ioneers with neat boxes containing
loayes of wedding cake, were followed by
taiors, bootmakers, upho!sterers and hair
drsssers. Clsrgymen called TO the BEDSIDE
OF the sick, lawyers, 10 ADJUST the iass VIII
and testament, medical men oil all KINDS oil
practice, apothecaries, with prepares pre-
scriptions, surgeons, with cases OF instru
men.s for the amputation OF limbs, artists
to paint tho human fscs divine, mantua-
mskers and milliners' productions CAREFUL
" conveyed in band-boxes. BARRIERS with
wigs, opticians, undertakers 70 perform
their sober oflices, and all kinds Of trades.
people and shopmen on foot were victim zed,
and helped to increase the commotion /;
| while the fish carts and butcher carts. wag-
ons Of furniture and pianoiortes, blocked
up the way Of the gay charots and dash
ing steeds ordered for the use Of the hap
py couple, on their way to the altar. Amid
the general confusion and tumult, the ele-
CANT coach Of the Lord Mayor arrived, only
70 be turned back on his Worship's finding
that he was included in the great deception.
THUS, throughout the day. At the hours
respectively appointed, the unfortunate PEG.
pie appeared only TO be turned homewaFd
by policemen stationed at every street cor
ner Of the neigbborbood. and it was only by
the most strenuous efforts Of the police that
the indignant and deludsd crowds could be
res rsinsd from committing violence and
riot in their chsgrn and indignation.
safely ensconsed in their concealment,
the guilty trio watched the progress Of their
pernisious schemes; and it was not until
the day itself closed, when score Of houss
servants appeared for the expected place,
that the affAir came to an end.