Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-06-03

The following characteristic nnec-
dotb of Theodore Hook is given in
bapams life of that extraordinary
ma1. One Of the streets near Soho
Square, either Dean Street or Firth
Strict, was the scene ofaction. Hook
waslounging upon one of those streets
liz company with Terry, the actor,
whom they saw through the kitchen
window preparations for handsome
dinner
! 'Mhat feast p said Terry. "Jolly
dob should like to make one Of
thmV
'IPll take any bet," returned Hook,
"ilat 10; call for me at ten o'clock,
and you'll find that | shall be ablo TO
sgive tolerablc account Of the worthy
gcntlemcn's champagne aud venison.' y
So saying, he marched up the steps,
gave an authoritative rap with the
Furnished knockcr, and was quickly
lost to the sight Of his astonished com
panions. As matter of course ho
was mcdiately ushered by the ser
want, us an unexpected guest, into the
drawing-room, where large party
had already assembled. The apart.
ment, being well nigh full, no notice
was at first taken of his intrusion, and
half-a dozen people were laughing at
his bon mots before the host discov-
cred the mistake. Affecting not to
observe the visible embarrassment Of
the latter, and ingenously avoiding
the opportunity for explanation, Hook
ratified on till he had attracted the
greater part Of the company in a cir
Gle near him, and some considerable
time elapsed ere the old gentleman
was able to catch the attention of the
agreeable stranger
al beg your pardon" he said, con-
irving 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 at loss
"Don't apologize, bog" graciously
interposod Theodore. "Smith-my
name is smith-and as you Justly OBJ
serve, servants arc always making
some stupid blunder or another. /
remember a remarkable instance, otc.
"But really, my dear sir continued
the host, at the termination Of the
story illustrative of stupidity in ser.
wants, al think tho mistake on the
present occasion does not originate in
tho source you alludo to; | certainly
did rot expect the pleasure Of Mr..
Smiths company at dinner today"
mo | dare say not you said four
in your note know, and IL is now, |
see, a quarter past five--you are a lit.
tle fast, by tho way but tho fact is, l
have been detained in the city, and |
was about to explain whom"
"Pray," exclaimed the other as soon
as he could stay tho volubility of his
saest, "whom, may ! alk, do you amp
pose you arc addressing
"Whom? Why, Mr.. Thompson, OF
course-old friend of my father;
have not the pleasure, indeed, Of being
personally known to you but, having
received your invitation on my arrival
from Livcrpool-Frilh street, four
o'clock, family party-come in boots,
you sec | have takon you ut your
word. am only afraid / have kept
you waiting"
"No, no, not at all, but permit
me to observe, my dear si,, my namo
is not exactly Thompson--it is Jones,
and"
Jones" repeated the selfstyled
Smith, in admirably assumed conster.
nationj Joncs Why surely / can.
not havc--ycs, ] must--good heaven |
! sec !. all. My dear sir, what an un.
fortunate blunder--wrong house
what must you think Of such intrusionl
ain really at a loss for words in which
to apologize. You will permit me to
retire at present, and'to. to.morrow-p
pray don't think of retiring" OK.
claimed the hospitablc old gentleman |;
yoar friends table must have been
cleared long ago, If, as you say, four
wab tho hour named and am only
too happy to be ablo to offer you a
seat at mine"
Hook, of course, could not think of
sudh thing.-could not think of tress.
passing upon the kindness of perfect
strnngcrj il too late for Thompson,
thtre were plenty of chop houses at
hand. The unfortunate part of tho
business was, he had made an appoint
ment for gentleman 10 call for him
AZ ten o'clock. The good natured
J,nes, however, positively refused TO
allow 90 entertaining visitor 10 dc.
part dinnerlesS; Mrs. Jones joined in
the solicitation; tho Misses Jones
smiled bewitchingly; and at last Mr..
Smith, who soon recovered from his
confusion, was prevailed on to offer
his arm to one Of the ladies, and take
his pale at the well furnished board.
lnall probability the family Of Jones
mover passed such an evening before.
Hook naturally exerted himself to the
utmost to keep tho party in an unccas-
ing roar Of laughter, and make good
the first impression. The mirth grew
fast and furious, when, by way Of a
] finishing stoke, he seated himself at
the pianofortc, and struck off into
'one of those extcmporaneous eifusions
which had filled more critical Judges
than Jones with delight and astonish.
nent Ten o'clock struck, and, on Mr..
! Terry being announced, his triumph.
ant friend wound up the performance
with tho cxplanatorystanza--
: am very much pleased With your fare,
Your cellars as prime as your cook
My friends Mr.. Terry, the player,
And I'm Mr.. Theodore Hook.