AN UNFEELING HOAX IN AUCKLAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 821, 28 June 1879, Page 2

AN UNFEELING HOAX IN AUCKLAND.

(From the Evening Star)., We have in our midst an unknown wag. or coterie of wags who has or have made a recent marriage the occasion of repeating Theodore Hook's celebrated practical joke. The approach of the marriage in question was pretty generally known, and on the day that it was to take place it formed the topic of conversation^ everywhere. Singularly enough, too/ everyone appeared to be the recipient of an invitation to the party in the evening, and great, therefore, were the" preparations made for it. White gloves and ties were in urgent demand, all the cabs and carriages to be had on hire were engaged, and the drapers' shops were crowded during the day by ladies intent on purchase. In the evening the immediate neighborhood of the residence of the newly wedded pair presented a most unusual and animated appearance. A band of gamins had assembled in front of -the house and were executing a vigorous, though discordant, series of serenades upon that musical instrument— the empty kerosene tin, cabs were driving sharply up to the side door and dropping their occupants, a constant succession of guests on foot were passing along the footpaths and besieging the doors for admission, while horsemen wore arriving in hot haste from the country and suburban districts. Our informant was amongst the invited ones, and on alighting in full evening dress at the bridal mansion was somewhat surprised by the scene that met his eye. A number of well-dressed people were uncomplainingly' awaiting the opening of the door, while a young and lusty Scotsman was desperately climbing the gate. By a tremendous effort he had drawn his knees to the top of the barrier, when a sharp and by no means conciliatory girl enquired his business. In reproachful Doric, Sandy replied, with the remark that "It's a nice thing to do, close the doores in the face o' the veesetbrs." In a tone that plainly indicated the coaxing manner.of one who addresses a drunken man the mysterious voice rejoined, "Go home my good man, go home, You have mistaken the house." With some difficulty, our informant effected an entrance to the house, and soon had good cause for astonishment. Instead of being ushered into a well-appointed drawing-room, he found himself in the ntidst.of a most incongruous gathering of people, who were standing, sitting, or walking in groups. There were young ladies in silks, and old women in prints, middleaged attd elderly men in every-day attire and dashing young gallants in claw-ham-mers and dancing pumpa. They were all in apparent expectation of something while look of disgust and dissappointment were plainly discernible upon the countenances of the exquisites. Our friend Boon learnt that there were no preparations apparent for the reception of guests, and that the bride and bride groom had extended anything but a cordial greeting to those who had arrived, and that the wedding feast had taken place in the afternoon. Expectant and gratified ladies and gentlemen still continued to arrive, while dissatisfied and exasperated parties began to file out. The bridegroom was observed regarding the assemblage, with lowering looks, while to their congratulations and good wishes hef lent an idle ear. It gradually became evident that there had been anluA^ mistake Somewhere, for, as the e|^^H wore on, those present had' rea^^^l suspect that they were con^^^H intruders. The invila tions wei^^^| duced and compared, and cpn^^^H freely passed, but no one imagin^HH the notes were* suprious or coun^^^H There was present several indi^^^^J who where known to be on bad^^^^H with the groom, but these, had °^^^H all, accepted the invitations sen^^^H as a token of reconciliation, and^^^H fore cordinally responded to | While matters were in this disag^^^H state and while every one a^^^^| uncertain what to do or how'to strains of music discoursed by band fell upon the ear. Thj^^^H rapidly approached and on reacl^^^^H house halted at the door and^^^^| "Paddy's Wedding " with un^^^H effect. The Bridegroom was °t^^^H invite the considerate bandsmei^^^^H some slight refreshment, and 1 they did not readily depart'. Tjh^^^^H prevailed upon play dance fl^^H and very soon the wedded pn^^^^H made acquainted with the fact improvised ball was proceeding i^^^^H dining room. However, the el^^^^H departed in high dudgeon long^^^^f this, and it was only the young^^^H who remained;' intent upon pi^^^H On the following day, the news^^^H unique evening party became property, and then it was that tions were forthcoming shewing h^^^H invited persons had been egreg^^^H hoaxed. The newly-made B^^^^H announced that he sent out no tions, nor had authorised any, an^^^H plained that in the evening he ret^^^f home with his wife expe^^H no ; visits whatever. „ The has produced a great deal of h^^H burning and indignation and sl^^H the unconscionable wag be discov^^H he will have reason to dread threatened consequences- ;

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