Show THEODORE HOOKS JOKE A for a dinner how hook won ilia bet the following characteristic anecdote of theodore hook is given in barhams life of that extraordinary man of the hoax so commonly told and so generally believed as taking place at the spanish ambassadors at woolwich on the banks of the thames sir barham has given a truer and more authentic account one of alic streets near solio square cither dean street or fifth street was the real scene of action hook wag lounging upon one of those streets in company with terry the actor when they saw through alie kitchen window preparations pa rations for a handsome dinner what a feast said terry jolly dogs I should like to make one of them ill take any bet returned hook that I do call for roe here at 10 and find that I shall be able to give a tolerable account of the worthy gent lemans champagne and venison so saying he marched up the steps gave an authoritative rap with the burnished knocker and was quickly jost to the sight of his astonished companions As a matter ef course he was immediately ushered by the servant as an unexpected guest into the drawing room where a largo party biad already assembled the apartment being well nigh full no notice was at first taken of his intrusion and half a dozen people were laughing at his bon before alio host discovered the mistake affecting not to observe the visible embarrassment of the latter and ingeniously avoiding any opportunity for explanation hook rattled till lie had attracted the greater part of the company in a circle near him and some considerable time elapsed ere the old gentleman was able to catch alie attention of the agreeable stranger I beg your pardon sir he said contriving at last to get in a word but your name sir I did not quite catali it servants are so abominably incorrect and I am really a little at loss dont apologize I beg graciously replied theodore smith my name is smith and as you justly observe servants are always making some stupid blunder or another I remember a remarkable instance etc but really my dear sir continued the host at the termination of the story illustrative of stupidity in servants I think the mistake on the present occasion does not originate in the source you allude to I certainly did not expect tho i pleasure of mr smiths company at dinner today to day no I dare say not you said in your note I know and it is now 11 sec quarter past you are a little fast by the way but the fact is I have been detained in the city and I just was about to explain when pray exclaimed the other as soon as he could volubility of his guest whom may I ask do you suppose you are addressing whom why mr thompson I of course a friend of my father I have not the pleasure indeed of being personally known to you but having received your kind invitation on my arrival from liverpool fifth st family party come iu boots you soa taken you at beur word and I am only afraid that I have kept you waiting no no not at all but permit me to observe my dear air my name is not exactly thompson it ie jones and jones repeated the soi disant smith in admirably assumed consternation ster nation jonesb why surely I cannot have yes must good gracious I sec it all my dear sir what an te blunder wrong house wat must you think of such an intrusion I am really at a loss for to apologize you will permit me to retire at present and tomorrow to morrow pray dont think of retiring exclaimed the hospitable old gentleman your friends table been cleared long ago if you say was the hour named and I am only too happy to be able to offer you a scat at mine hook of course could not think of any such thing could not think of trespassing tres passing upon the kindness of a perfect stranger if too late for thompson there were plenty of chop houses at fiand alie unfortunate part of the business was he had made an appointment with a gentleman to call for him at 10 the good natured jones however positively refused to allow so entertaining a visitor to withdraw mrs Jones joined in the solicitation the misses jones emilid bewitchingly and at last mr smith who soon recovered from his confusion was prevailed upon to offer ilia arm to one of the ladies and take his place at the well fur dished board in all probability the family of jones never passed such an evening before hook naturally exerted himself to the utmost to keep the party in an unceasing roar of laughter and make good the first impression the mirth grew fast and furious when by way of a coup de grace he seated himself at the piano forte and struck into one of those ef fusions which had filled more critical judges than the joneses delight and astonishment ten struck and on mr terry being announced noun ced his triumphant friend wound up the performance with the explanatory stanza I am very much pleased with your fore your cellars prime as your coob my friends mr terry the player and im mr theodore hook |