The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1851-08-14

pared; but am infrmed that there is but
little demand for the mixed. or variegat-
eh article. However. should some lead
er ofFashion adoptit, the manufacturers
wouldsoon he relieved ofthe large amount
now on hand"
A CUNNING SLEEPER-The following
very adroi, trick was recently played in
one Of the public inns of England. A
gentleman, genteely dressed, walked in
and prolessed to be tired. Having taken
refreshments, he said he would take
nap for an hour. To sleep he went, in
very business Ike style. in his chair, and
long nap he appeared tn enjoy. Before
it expired, the usual smoke pipe compa.
ny began 10 drop in, & among others two
strangers made their appearance. One
Of the company remarked thaiit was un-
pleasant to have a man sleeping in pub
lie room with valuable property about
him, such as The sleeper, who had a fine
looking gold guard chair displayed on his
waist coat, aud apparently connected
with a watch in one ofnis pockets.
To this remark one ofihe strangers re-
piled, "pooh! that's ro gentleman. I'm
sure; he more like one Nv them ere swell
mob as is always taking Of people in. l
ldare say he has 40 watch at all; but Pll
soon see." Suiting the action 10 the word,
The stranger softly drew forth out of the
sleeping mans pocket piece of wood.
round, and about the size Of a watch. Il
thought so," ssid he, "there's a pretty
watch for you" holding it Up, that the
company might see it; aud Then returned
it to the owners pocket. By and by the
sleeper awoke, aud called briskly for
glass OF brandy aud water. He assumed
quite patrOnizing air to the farmers.
which soon raised desire TO put him
down.
Accordingly one of the seniors requir-
ed 10 be informed Of the time Of day.
why" said the man, "the truth is, had
drop to much last night. and forgot to
wind up my watch" "Just SOP ejacu-
lated the senior, lyon forgot to wind it
up, dld youl You'd be puzzled to do
that. should say, wouldn't you, now2"
"Well. sir, you seem to take more no
iice OF such trifle than there is any call
f1r; but the truth is, have not watch
key about me, and mine is rather pecu.
liar watch"
Here burst of laughter ensued, and
a number Of jokes were passed about the
peculiar style of the watch At last ono
of the company loudly told him that he
had no watch at all about him; whereuP-
on the amazed individual hastily clap
, ped his hand To his waisicoat pocket;
r having previously declared that, unless
. the watch had been stolen siuce he had
= been in the room, he had one. Satisfied
S apparently by the external application
g to his pocket, he said. "lt's all right. my
t watch is here, | thought you mad beea
Il playing Tick upon me" "pli bet yoc
se5 you've no watch" bawled out one O
] his tormeuters; another offered 10 bet him
2 9l0; aud one of the strangers said he
t hadn't se5. but there were two sovereigns
{ which be should ike To double by bet
ting in the same way. The awakened
sleeper louked at them with astonish.
meht and asked if they were serious
They all stuck to il ihsthe had 10 watch
and then he took out his purse and pro.
duced five aud ten pound notes to the a.
mount of the bets offered against him
The stakes were posted; aud then the
thoroughly awakened sleeper coolly pull
led out the piece of wood, at which q
horse laugh arose against him; but the
laughter was soon on the other side, when
touching spring in the bit of wood, il
flew open, aud displayed very hand.
some gold watch snugly encased within
it, The gentleman gave plausible rea-
sou for prefer:ing so odd looking a case
for his watch with which his dupes mi CHI
, either feel satisfied, or not. He had re
ceived their mouey to the extent Of ef40
aud they had bought knowledge of'the
, time of day" OF course The very sug
a gestive strangers last nothing by the bust
r uess-in fact, they were the accomplicei
. of this clever sharper.