The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-15
ANECDOTES.

InS cnaracterlStic anecdote OF Theodore
Hook Is given in BarhamIs life of that ex-
traordlnary man. One of the streets near
Soho Square, either Dean Street or Firth
Street, was the scene of action. Hook was
lounging up one of those streets in company
with Terry, the actor, when they saw through
the kitchen window preparations for a hand
some dinner
What feast!" said Terry. "Jolly
dogs! should like to make one of them"
=" III take any bet, returned Hook, "that
do; call for Inc here at ten o'clock, and
you'll find that | shall be able to give tol-
erable account of the worthy gentleman's
champagne and venison'
So saying, he marched up the steps, gave
an authoritative rap with the FURNISHED
knocker, and was quickly lost to the sight
OF his astonished companion. AS matter
OF course he was Immediately ushered by
the servant, as an unexpected guest, into
the drawlng-room, where large party had
already assembled. The apartment, being
well nigh full, no notice was at first taken Of
his intrusion, and half-adozen people were
laughing at his bon naots before the host
discovered the mistake Affecting not to
observe the visible embarrassment of the
latter and ingeniously avoiding the oppor
tunlty for explanation, Hook ratified on till
he had attracted the greater part of the
company in circle near him, and some con-
siderable time elapsed ere the old gentleman
was able to catch the attention of the agree
able stranger.
beg your pardon" he said, contriving
at last to get in a word but your name,
slr,-I did not quite catch it,-servants are
SO abomlnably incorrect, and am really a
little at loss"
Don't apologize, l beg" graciously re-
piled Theodore. Smith-my name is
Smith-and, as you justly observe servants
are always making some stupid blunder or
another. i remember remarkable instance,
ETC."
But really, my dear sir" continued the
host at the termination of the story ilustra-
tive of stupidity in servants. :" l think the
mistake on the present occasion does not
originate IN the source you allude to ; | GER
talny did not expect the pleasure of Mr..
Smiths company at dinner to-day"
"No, l dare say not; you said four in
your note l know, and it is now, | gee,
quarter past tive-you are a little fast, by
the way; but the fact is, l have been de-
tained in the city, and l was about to ex-
plain when"
pray" exclaimed the other as soon as
he could stay the volubility of his guest,
whom, may l ask, do you suppose you are
addressng?"
"Whom? Why, Mr.. Thompson, Of
course--old friend of my father; have not
the piiraauTe, indeed indeed, of being personally
known to you, but, having received your
kind invitation 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 1 have kept
you waiting"
No, no, not at all. But permit me to
observe, my dear sir, my name is not exact
ly Ihompson-it is Jones, and"
"Jones!" repeated the selfstyled Smith,
in admirably assumed CONSERVATION: Jones!
Why, surely cannot have-yes, 1 must
good heaven! l see it all. My dear sir,
what an unfortunate blunder-wrong house
what must you think of such an intrusion?
l am really at loss for words in which to
apologize. You will permit me to retire at
present, and tomorrow"
"Pray don't think of retiring" exclaimed
the hospitable old gentleman; "your friends
table must have been cleared long ago, it, as
you say, four was the hour named; and am
only too happy to be able to offer you
seat at mine."
Hook, of course, could not think of such
a thing-could not think of trespassing
upon the kindness of a perfect stranger if
too late for Thompson, there were plenty of
chop-houses at hand. The unfortunate part
of the business was, he had made an ap-
pointment with gentleman to call for him
at ten O'Clock. The good -natured Jones,
however, positively refused to allow 80 en-
tertaining visitor to depart dnnerless !;
Mrs. Jones joined in the solicitation; the
Misses Jones smiled bewitchingly; and at
last Mr.. Smith, who soon recovered from
his confusion, was prevailed upon to offer
his arm to one of the ladies', and take his
place at the well-furnished board.
In all probability the family of Jones
never passed such an evening before. Hook
naturally exerted himself to the utmost to
keep the party in an unceasing roar of
laughter, and make good the first impression.
The mirth grew fast and furious, when, by
way of coup de grace, he seated himself
at the pianoforte, and struck off into one of
those extemporaneous effusions which had
filled more critical judges than the Jones
with delight and astonishment. Ten o'clock
struck, and, on Mr.. Terry being announced,
his triumphant friend wound up the per-
formance with the explanatory stanza-
am very much pleased with your fare,
Your cellars as prime your cook
My friends Mr.. Terry, the player,
And I'm Mr.. Theodore Hook