SHERIDAN AND THE STRANGER.

Patea Mail, 2 June 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

SHERIDAN AND THE STRANGER.

Sheridan was one day accosted by a gentlemanly-looking elderly man, who had forgotten the name of the street to which he was going, when the following dialogue ensued:— Stranger—“ Sir, I wish to go to a street the name of which I have forgotten; it is a very uncommon name; pray, sir, can you tell me of any such street near p” Sheridan—“ Perhaps, sir, yon mean John Street ?” Sheridan —“ No ;itis a street with an unusual name.” Sheridan —“ It can’t be Charles Street ?” Stranger (a little impatiently)—“ It is not a common name —the most unusual name for a street.” Sheridan—“ Surely, sir, you >re not looking for King Street?” Stranger (growing more impatient)—“ I tell you, sir, it is a street with a very odd name.” Sheridan—' me, sir, it is not Queen Street, is it?” Stranger (evincing some degree of irritation)—“ Queen Street! no, no! it is a sort of a carious name, I toll you.” Sheridan —“I wish, sir, I could assist you; let me think. It may be Oxford Street ?” Stranger (getting testy)—“ Sir, for heaven’s sake, think. I keep telling you that it is a street with anything but a common name; anybody knows Oxford Street.” Sheridan—“ Perhaps the street has no name after all.” Stranger—“No name, sir! Why, I tell you it has. Confound the name!” Sheridan—“ lleally, sir, lam very sorry that I am unable to assist you; but let me suggest Piccadilly.” The stranger could no longer restrain his irritation, but bounced away, exclaiming, “ Oh, damn it, what a thick-headed fellow!” Sheridan, calling to him and bowing, replied—“ Sir, I envy your admirable memorythen walked on, enjoying his joke. [The stranger was looking .for Lamb’s Conduit Street.3