Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-09-04
cARIcATuRiNG cHoATE
Presumable Jokes Of Our Ambassadors
Embarrassed BY His Own Wit.

Embarrassed BY His Own Wit.
Eve understand that an enterprising
London publisher has just issued
Choate jest Book, in honor OF the
witty American Ambassador. We
have not as yet seen a 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 followingJ
Ii was while travelling In Bermuda
that MIR. 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 IL
to the test before a large company
gathered in his honor.
mir. Choate." said he, you have
studied architecture, l preSumeT
Well" replied Mr.. Choate, calmly,
mot deeply, General Sir William. but
l know 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
when a door is not a door"
The witty American chuckled slight
ly TO himself. and then without an in
stant's hesitation, replied:
''Ah. General Sir William. indeed
do. When it's ajar." N. B.-This is
new9
Mr. Choate was once asked by an
American newspa per reporter who
was trying TO find out who illuStrious
men would rather he if they were not
themselves. who nc would prefer to be
If he were not Mr.. Choate.
Il am sure | cannot say" returned
the famous wit. Il 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. l am entirely at sea. But the
first thing l shall 10. | presume, will
be TO study the language"
~.
Mr.. Choate. when asked by Lord
Iveagh the famors brewer, why he
and not Gen. Porter was sent TO Eng
land the witty American replied: ME
Lud, TO send Porter to Il 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: Il suppose the President wants
to make Hay while the sun shines.
Mr.. Choate Is sometimes embarrass-
ed by his own wit. An inquisitive
Englishman once asked him as to Mr..
Depew's rank in the United States.
us he q man OF high >station"
asked the Briton.
Hes man OF the Grand Central
Station" replied Mr.. Choate, with
twinkle in his eye.
"Awr" said the R-iton. "Grand Cen
tral-middle claws. | presumeY
III took the witty lawyer four hours
to explain that his joke was based
upon the fact that Mr.. Depew. as presi-
dent of a railroad. has his office In a
railway station
VII.
1t is not known whether ii was in
n testing mood or because of some
natural embarrassment on the Ambas-
sador's part that caused him in his
first address to her Majesty to begin
with the well-known American for
mula, IF your honor please" In any
event. Mr.. Henry White. the talented
secretary. tugged nj his coattails warn
ingly. and with wonderful readiness
the Ambassador corrected himself by
bowling low and saying, suavely: 'Or.
as | should have said. may II please
the court"
The Ice was broken at once, and the
new Ambassador became. as his
friends all knew he would, so distinct
ly persona grata that he was invited
to stay over night at the Castle and
breakfast nj the expense of the crown.
-Harper's RaZar.