Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-11-13
9}>istrllaneou5 Arading,
THEODORE HOOKS STRATAGEM.

THEODORE HOOKS STRATAGEM.
The following characteristic anecdotc of
Theodore Hook is given in Barham' 5 life of
that extraordinary man. One OF the streets
near Soho square, either Dean street or
Fifth street, was the scene Of action.
Hook was loungng up one Of these streets in
company with Terry, the actor, when they
saw through kitchen window preparations
for a handsome dinner.
"What feast !" said Terry. "Jolly dogs !!
| should like to be one of them"
"I'll take my bet" returned Hook. "that |
do call for me here at ten o'clock and you'll
find that l shall be able to give a tolerable
account of the worthy geutemans cham
pague and venison.
So saying, he marched up the steps, gave
an authoritive rap, and was quickly lost to
the sight Of his astonished companion. AS Il
matter of course he was Immediately ushered
by the servant us all expected guest, into
the drawing room, where a large party had
already assembled. The apartment, being
well nigh full, no notice was at first taken
! of his intrusion, and half dozen people
were laughing at his bon mots before the
host discovered the mistake. Affecting
not to observe the embarrassment of the latter,
and ingeniously avoiding the opportunity for
an explanation, Hook ratified OH until he
had attracted the greater part Of the COM
pany in circle near him, and some consider.
able time elapsed before the old gentleman
was able to catch the attention Of the agree
able stranger.
! 81 beg your PARDON" he said, contrving at
last to get in word "but your name sir-l
did not quite catch it-servants are SO abom-
nably incorrect, and | am really little at
loss"
"Don't apologize, I beg" graciousy replied
Theodore. "Smith-my name is Smith
and, as you justly observe, servants are al
ways making some stupid hlunder or another
remember remarkable instance, etc"
"3ut really, my dear sir" continued the
host at the termination Of the story ilustra.
! tive of stupidity Of servants, 81 think the
mistake Of the present does not originate
in thc source you allude to; | certainly did
not expect the pleasure of Mr. Smiths COM
, pany at dinner to-day.
"No, dare say not you said four in your
note / know, and it is now, | see, quarter
past fve-you are little fast, by the way );
but the fact is, have been detained in the
city, and was about to explain when"
pray" exclaimed the other rs soon rs he
could stay the volublity of his guest, "whom
may ask, do you suppose you are address
: ing?"
I "Whom? Why, Mr.. Thompson, ofcoursc-
old friend of my father; | have not the pleas
urc, indeed of being personally known to you,
but, having received your kind invitation on
my arrival from Liverpool-Fifth street.
four o'clock, family party-come in boots
you see have taken you at your word. l
am only afraid have kept you waiting
"No, no, not at all. But permit me to OBJ
serve, my dear sir, my name is not cxacty
Thompson-it is Jones, and"
Jones'" repeated the selfstyled Smith, in
admirably assumed CONSERVATION ; Zones !
Why surely | cannot havc-yes, must
good heavens | see it all. My dear sir, what
an unfortunate bunder--wrong house-what
must you think of such an intrusion? | am
really at loss for words in which to apologize
! Iou will permit me to retire at present and to-
morrow"
I "Pray don't think of retiring" exclaimed
the hospitablc old gentleman "your friends
table must have been cleared long ago,
if, as you say, four was the hour named and
am only too happy to offer you a seat ut
minc"
Hook, of course, could not think Of any
such thing-could not think Of trespasslng
upon the kindness Of 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 appointment
with gentleman to call for him at ten o'clock.
The good.natured Jones, however, positively
refused to allow so entertaining 4 visitor to
withdraw dinnerlcss; Mrs. Jones joined in
! the solicitation the Misses Jones smiled be-
witchingly 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.
F.: In all probability the family of Jones new
er passed such al evening before. Hook
naturally excrtcd himself to the utmost to
keep the party in an unceasing roar of laugh
ter, and make good the first impression.
The mirth grew fast and furious, when, by the
way Of coup dc grace he seated himself at
the pianotortc, and struck of liuto one those
cxtcmp0rancous cttuSions which had filled
more critical judges than the Jones with de-
light and aslonlsment. Ten o'clock struck,
and, on Mr. Terry being announced his trlum-
phant friend wound up the performance with
the explanatory stanza:
| am very much pleased with your fare
Your cellars as prime is your cook;
NV friends Mr. Terry the player
And I'm Mr.. Themlorc Hook.
- --
TIE BUBBLE SrEcuLATIOSs OF TIE LAST
CESruRl-Benson j. Losing reviews in the
Poughkeepse Eagle the famous Mississippi
scheme and the South Sea bubble, the two
great financial sensations of the last century.
The Mississippi scheme originated, it will be
remembered, in the bad state Of the finances
of the French government. The government
lent itself to al immense scheme for swindling
the people, in in order to fill its Golfers. The
company, with John Law, Scotchman pos
scssing IL great reputation as all Amsterdam
broker, as its head, had monopoly Of the
trade --of the Mississippi, on condition that
it should relieve France of its debt. The
most extravagant stories of the richness of
that valley were told, and the excitement
among all classes ut Paris was intense. The
company was chartered, and, after its shares
had gone up 1900 per cent. above par, burst.
Wide financial ruin followed, and Law died
in poverty at Vienna. The counterpart Of
this organization in England, the South Sea
company, was to have a monopoly ofthe South
Sea trade and was to confer the same favor on
the British government, that Law had prom
Sed to the French shares rose to above
1000 per cent, and as a consequence great
number Of similar companies sprung up