True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-11-14
A Cunning sleeper.

The following very adroit trick was re-
Gently played in one Of the public inns of
England. A gentleman, genteely dres-
sed, walked in and prOfessed to be tired.
Having taken refreshments, he said he
would take nap for an hour. To sleep
he went in very business like style, in
his chair, and long nap he appeared to
to enjoy. Before it expired, the usual
smOke-pipe company began 10 drop in
and among others, two strangers made
their appearance. One of the company
remarked that It was unpleasant TO have
a man sleeping in public room with val
liable properly about him, such as the
sleeper, who had a fine looking gold
guard chain displayed on his waistcoat,
and apparently connected with watch in
one of his pockets. TO this remark one
of the strangers replied, 'Pooh that's no
gentleman I'm sure: he's more like one
of them ere swell nobs as is always Ia
king of people in. dare say he has no
watch at all, but I'll soon see.' Sulting
the action to the word, the stranger soft
ly drew forth out of the sleeping mans
pocket piece of wood, round, and about
the size of watch. Il thought so,' said
he there's pretty watch for you, hold
ing it up that the company might see it |;
and then returning it to the owners pock-
ct. By and by the sleeper awoke, and
called briskly for a glass of brandy and
water. He assumed quite patronizing
air 10 the farmers, which soon raised a
desire TO put him down. Accordingly
one of the seniors required TO be inform
ed of the time of day. why said the
gentleman, the fact is, l had drop too
much last night, and forgot TO wind up
my watch 'Just so J. calculated the Sc
nior, you forgot 10 wind it up did you !
You'd be puzzled 10 do that, should say,
wouldn't you now?' well sir, you seem
to take more notice of such trfle than
there is any call for; but the truth is,
have not watch key about me, and mine
is rather peculiar watch.' Here burst
of laugher ensued, and anumber of Jokes
were passed about the peculiar style OF
the watch. At last one of the company
loudly told him that he had no watch al
all about him; whereupon the amazed in
divduaI hastily clapped his hand to his
waistcoat pocket, having previously de-
clared that, unless the watch had been
stolen since he had been in the room he
had one. Satisfied apparently, by the ex'
ternal application TO his pocket, he said
its all right my watch is here, | Thought
you had been playing trick upon me-
I'll bet you 95 you've no watch bawl'
ed out one of his tormentors :-anothel
offered 10 bet him g10; and one Of The
strangers said he hadn't R5, but there
were two severeigns which he would lik'
to double by betting in the same way
The awakened sleeper looked at then
with astonishment and asked if they were
serious. They all stuck to it that he hat
no watch and then he took out his purse
and produced five and ten pound notes tt
the amount of the bets Offered against him
The stakes were posted and the thor
oughly awakened sleeper cool pulled ou
the piece of wood, at which hoarst
laugh arose against him; hut the laughie
! was soon on the other side, when touch
ing a spring in the bit of wood, it flew
open and displayed very handsome golC
watch snugly encased within it. Th'
gentleman gave plausible reason for pre-
ferring so odd-Iooking case for his watch
with which his dupes might either fee
satisfied or not. He had received thei
money to the extent of g4O; and the,
had bought knowledge of "the tim
| Of day." OF course the very suggestive
strangers lost nothing by the business
, in fact they were accomplices of this clev
er sharper.