The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-08-30
CARICATURiNG CHOATE
Presumable Jokes Of Our Ambassador
Embarrassed by His Own Wit.

Embarrassed by His Own Wit.
eve understand that an enterprisina
London publisher has just issued
Choate Jest Book, in honor of the
witty American Ambassador. We
have not as yet seen copy, but from
the fashion in which certain famous
people are at times compelled to as
sumo the responsibility for others
jests, we imagine the volume contains
the followng3
1t was while travelling in Bermuda
that Mr.. Choate was introduced to
Gen. Sir William Wintergreen of her
Majesty's Blues. Having heard Of Mr.
Choate's fame as a master Of repartee,
Gen. Sir William resolved to put it
to the test before large company
gathered in his honor.
"Mr. Choate," said he, "you have
studied architecture, l presumeW
"Well," replied Mr.. Choate, calmly,
mot deeply, General Sir William, but
l know a house from an automobile
and could distinguish off hand, think,
between an Italian renaissance facade
and piece of pumpkin pie"
Quite So" observed Gen. Sir Will
lam. But, Mr.. Choate, do you know
Wnen door is not Il dOOr.
The witty American chuckled slight
ly to himself, and then without an in
stants hesitation. replied:
"Ah, General Sir William, indeed l
do. When it's ajar." IN. B.-This Is
newD
Mr. Choate was once asked by an
American newspaper reporter who
was trying to find out who illustrious
men would rather be if they were not
themselves, who he would prefer to be
If he were not Mr.. Choate.
81 am sure | cannot say" returned
the famous wit. II have never not
been myself"
While crossing the ocean Mr.. Choate
was asked as to his plans upon his
arrival in London.
"Well. madam" he replied, "of
course. | am entirely at sea. But the
first thing shall do, I presume, will
be to study the language"
".
Mr.. Choate, when asked by Lord
Iveagh, the famous brewer why he
and not Gen. Porter was sent to Eng
land, the witty American replied: "Me
| Lud to send Porter to a country that
makes such excellent beer would be
like sending Goals to Newcastle or
gloom to the Isle of Man."
V.
On the appointment of his predeces.
sor to the portfolio of State, Mr.
Choate said in confidence to Mr. De
pew: 81 suppose the President wants
to make Hay while the sun Shines
Mr.. Choate Is sometimes embarrass
ed by his own wit. An inQuisitive
EnglShman once asked him as to Mr.
Depews rank in the United States.
as he a man OF high stationY
asked the Bliton.
Hes man of the Grand Contra
Station" replied Mr.. Choate, with q
twinkle in his eye.
"Aww said the Briton. Grand Cen
tral-mddle clawss. l presumed"
1t took the witty lawyer four hours
to explain that his joke was base6
upon the fact that Mr.. Depew. as presl
dent of a railroad, has his office in 6
railway station
VII.
It is not known whether II was II
testing mood or because Of som,
natural embarrassment on the Ambas
sador's part that caused him in hi
first address to her Majesty to begil
with the well-known American for
mula, "If your honor please" In an.
event, Mr.. Henry White. the talented
secretary. tugged ut his coattails warn
ingly. and with wonderful readiness
the Ambassador corrected himself b,
bowling low and saying, suavely: "OI
as I should have said, may it pleas
the court"
The Ice was broken at once, and tn
new Ambassador became. as hi
friends all knew he would, so distinct
ly persona grata that he was invite,
to stay over night at the Castle an,
breakfast at the expense of the crown
-Harpers BaZar