The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-05-04
The Beruer street Hoax.

me bernef Stfeet hOhN.
TT has been suggested in the Tribune
Il that the author of the annoyances to
DIR. Dix may be actuated by q desire to
perpetuate hoax, in imitation of that
prince of practical jokers, Theodore
Hook, who three.quarters of century
ago kept England laughing at his cum
ming and his wit. The masterpiece in
this line was what Is known as "The
Berner Street Hoax, in 1909. If"Gen-
tlenan Joe'' was prompted by a wish to
emulate that example, he has produced
very weak imitation.
The hoax was conceived in malice,
having been an outgrowth of a grudge
entertained against It's victim, Mrs.
Tottenhan, q wealthy lady living at
No. 54 Berner street. Hooks accom-.
plices were a certain "Mr. H." who
had been also concerned in many Of
Hooks previous jokes, and a celebrated
actress at the time. Together they sent
out 1000 letters to persons in every
station Of life, purporting to be orders,
appointments, or invitations from Mrs.
Tottenham. They all named the same
day, and an hourwas appointed for each
appropriate to his calling. Thus, at five
in the morning the streets resounded
with the peculiar cries of an army Of
chimney sweeps, who, with their mas
ters, thundered upon the knocker of
No. "a. Before they had gone, the
ponderous coal wagons from the wharves
were driven up to the house, each with
load of coal to deliver at the house,
blocking the street and causing a great
noise Of wheels and clamor of blackened
drivers. Later, large number Of cooks
appeared, everyone carrying q huge
wedding cake for the festivities that
were never to take place. Then follow
ed tailors with suits of clothes; uphol-
sterers with samples; undertakers with
collins ready made BARRIERS with wigs
to fit; milliners with arms filled with
bandboxes, and dentists, nerved to draw
teeth. By this time the family at No.
54 were nearly beside themselves with
distress at their situation and fear from
the rage of the disappointed tradesmen.
But more was to come. Great furni-
ture vans rolled up to the house with
contents to fill one hundred houses,
organs and pianafortes came, each with
O number of men TO carry them In
linen drapers brought large rolls Of
goods, and jewelers. produced their rarest
zAA xxf hn l.
and fashionable lady of Berner street.
AT noon forty fishmongers appeared, all
bringing "cod and lobster !" and butch
ers followed, every man with leg Of
mutton.
At fashionable hour, the carriages Of
many persons who moved in the best
circles began to arrive, and while they
were still there several coaches and
four" gaily decorated for bridal jour
ney, wheeled into the street. Noble
men, Princes, and persons in high
station came to pay their respects.
Lawyers, summoned to consult on i'm
portant matters clergymen to admin
lister to the dying; artists, eager for the
patronage of the great, came in numbers
together. Surgeons, too, arrived in hot
haste, and finding that their carriages
could not pass for the crowd, and seeing
the multitudes apparently drawn by
some accident in the house, they de
scended and forced their way on foot
through the throng. And finally, when
the crowd was at its greatest, fittingly
to crown the joke, the Lord Mayor him
self, in his robe of state, and seated in
his official chariot, was driven to the
door.
London was excited for many days
over this affair. Hook avoided trouble
by leaving the country for time. Th'
tradesmen were eager to recover dam
ages for their losses, and others to obtaiI
revenge for their annoyances.