A DODGE FOE A DINNER.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1467, 7 November 1884, Page 3

A DODGE FOE A DINNER.

. ♦ ' m \ There was a particular chop-house near Temple Bur which Sheridan was iiv the habit of frequenting, especially - when he was in the moorl and appetite iorjv, devilled shihhoue of beef One da V t hungry and heated, and coining latdff'uati usual, lie called for his dish, and was informed by "the fNJbp^ekor, with much regret, that the onfy shinboue in the larder had been ordered by, and was heing cooked for the Duke of Devonshire. Sheridan knew the duke by sight, hut was not known by him, and -espying. his grace in a corner of the ordinary, he. took a seat within easy earshot, and struck up a quiet conversation with a friend whom he chanced to find there. • Upon "my word,' Viid the wit, at length, in a mystovin'vs. conmlfMif-.ial i»iig»* -do you know 1 always fancied thin to he one of the neatest and ndq^t reliable eating-houses in Londou ; but I must say I have had my confidence shaken. . Not long ago I was out in the rear court, and in passing a kitchen window, I caught sight of a tow-head-ed, tvi.?l3 -hiii-'til, dirty facad turnspit in the. act of gnawing a splendid shinbone of beef. I was just wondering at the waste, when along came the head cook. My eyes ? what a blow that boy got 1 • Yon little rascal," cried the cook' • that bone is for the duke's dinner.' And he caught it up from the floor, leaving the turnspit sprawling there, and took it away to prepare for serving up.' Of coiuvse the. duke had heard, and had b«en an interested hwarer. Not ion^ aft^rwtrds a waiter, bearing a ■oversd di3h, eutewd and approaclwd his grace. • Yonr devilled shinbone, my lord. 1 • Take ifc away and bring me a mntton chdp, well done.' Th« waiter was turning away, greatly surprised, but thinking properly that it was only <a great mau's whim, when Sheridan hailed him. 1 Hullo, waiter, what have you there ?' ' A shinbone of beef, sir,' nicely devilled, and beautifully flavoured.' * ' Al^iifjht. Leave it with me ; and bnng'a' Dottle of claret. I think I can :m«ke a 4oneheon of that.' f' B lf the f duke mistrusted the trick, ■when Ke saw man who professed to raaka that discovery at thd cojlc's "window, bo happily disposing of th:> r.bmbouß, he was. Wiso enough to say ».f>tijmg; ...