Labby's Joke.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 80

Labby's Joke.

Mr Labouchere once paid a visit to the city of Buffalo in the United States. Even at that time Mr Labouchere was an acknowledged celebrity, and the people staying a the hotel where he had fixed hia quarters, and who were mostly Americans, were greatly annoyed that the Britisher never -condescended to dine at the public table. The landlord recommended lhat a lumber of them should wait upon Mr Labouehere, a>nd the suggestion was adopted with aiacrity. '"Well, gentlemen." said Mr Lahouchero affably, and in his softest accents, idly twirling his cigarette the while, "it is just hie this, I prefer to dine in my shii'.'sieeves." "Ob," replied the chief spokesman of tie deputation," "if that's your only reason foi liPing absent at dinner you must not think abnui- that for a moment. Wo shall bo delighted to have you, anyhow." "Ah, well, gentleman," said the English visitor, after thoroughly reflecting for a ff\v moments, ''I will do as you wisn, and join you to-night. But mind this, you must take me ju=d; as you are." "We will, we will !" declared the deputation, as though with one voice. Quitting the room, they agreed to moot tbeir guest just as he would meet them But this was the very point at which they blundered. Mr Labouchere appeared at table a few min-xtes late in faultless evening attire, and, as he anticipated, found his American, admirers and their countrymen sitting in their shirtsleeves. Imagination mist complete tli© story.