Los Angeles daily herald., 1873-10-30
Stratagem for a Dinner.

The following characteristic anec-
dote of Theodore Hook is given in
Barnam's life of that extraordinary
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 handsome
dinner.
2 What a feast!" said Terry. "Jolly
dogs! / should like to make one of
them"
"I'll take any bet," returned Hook,
"that l dO; call for me here at ten
O'clock, and you'll find that shall be
able to give tolerable account of the
worthy gentlemen'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 COM
panion. AS a matter of course he was
Immediately ushered by the servant,
as an unexpected guest, into the draw
ing room, where large party had
already assembled. The apartment,
being we'll nigh full, no notice was ut
first taken of his intrusion, and half-a-
dozen people We're laughing at his bon
mots before the host discovered the
mistake. Affecting not to observe the
visible embarrassment of the latter,
and ingeniously avoiding the opportu-
nifty for explanation, Hook ratified on
till he had attracted the greater part
of the company in circle near him,
and some considerable time elapsed
ere the old gentleman was able to
catch the attention of the agreeable
stranger.
81 beg your pardon" he said, con-
triving at last to get in word; "but
your name, sir,-I did not quite catch
it,-servants are so abominably incOr-
rect, and am really little at loss"
"Don't apologize, l beg" gracious
ly replied Theodore. Smith--my
name is Smith-and, as you justly
observe, servants are always making
some stupid blunder or another. | re-
member remarkable instance, etc."
"But really, my dear sir" cOntin-
ued the host at the termination of the
story illustrative Of stupidity in SER
II
present occasion does not originate in
the source you allude to; certainly
did not expect the pleasure of Mr..
Smiths company at dinner to-day"
I" No, l dare say not; you said four
in your note know, and it is now,
see, quarter past five-you are lit
tie fast, by the way; but the fact is, l
have been detained in the city, and l
was about to explain when"
''Pray," exclaimed the other as soon
as he could stay the volubility of his
guest, "whOm, may ask, do you sup
pose you are addressing?"
"Whom? Why, Mr.. Thompson, of
course-old friend of my father; l have
not the pleasure, indeed, of being per-
sonally known to you, but, having re-
ceived your kind invitation on my ar
rival from Liverpool-Frith street,
four o'clock, family party-come in
bOots-yOu see / have taken you at
your word. I am only afraid I have
kept you waiting"
to observe, my dear sir, my name is
not exactly Thompson, it is Jones,
and"
"JOnes!" repeated the self-styled
Smith, in admirably assumed cOnster-
nation; "Jones! Why surely l can
not have-yes, must-goOd heaven!
q. see it all. My dear sir, what an un-
fortunate blunder - wrong house -
what must you think of such an in
trusion? I am really at loss for
words in which to apologize. You will
permit me to retire at present, and to-
morrow"
''Pray don't think of retiring ex-
claimed the hospitable old gentleman;
''yOur friends table must have been
cleared long ago, If, as you say, four
was the hour named; and 1 am only
too happy to be able to offer you seat
at mine."
Hook, of course could not think of
any such thing, not think of
trespassing upon the kindness of a
perfect stranger; if too late for ThOmp-
son, there were plenty of chop-hOuses
Mt hand. The unfortunate part of the
business was, he had made an appoint
ment with gentleman to call for him
at ten o'clock. The gOod-natured
Jones, however, positively refused to
allow so entertaining visitor to with
draw dinnerless; 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 we'll furnished board.
In all probability the family of
Jones never passed such an evening
before. Hook naturally exerted him
self 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 a coup de grace, he seated HIM
self at the piano-eorte, and struck off
into one of those extemporaneous eff'u-
sions which had filed 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
performance with the explanatory
stanza-
am very much pleased with your fare,
Ny friends Mr.. Terry. the player,
And I'm Mr.. Theodore Hook.