The Nevada journal., 1856-03-07


A CUNNING SLEEPER.-The following
very adroit trick was recently played in
one of the public inns of England. A gen
tleman, genteelly dressed, walked III and
protessed to be tired Having taken re-
freshments, he said he would take nap for
an hour. To sleep he went in very bus
iness-like style, in his chair, and long nap
he appeared to enjoy. Before it expired,
the usual snioke-pipe company began to
drop in, and among others, two strangers
made their appearance. One, of the com
pany remarked that it was unpleasant to
have man sleeping in public room with
valuable property about him, such as the
sleeper, who had fine looking gold guard
chain displayed on his .waisteoaf, and ap-
parently 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 taking of people in. dare
say he has no watch at all, but III soon
sees
Suiting the action to the word, the stran-
ger softly drew forth out of the sleeping
mans pocket piece of wood, round, and
about the size ola watch.
ii thought so,'' said he; ''there's a pret-
ty watch for you" holding it up that the
company might see it; and then return
ing it to the owners pocket.
By and by the sleeper awoke, and call
ed briskly for glass of brandy and wa
ter. He assumed quite patronizing air
to the farmers, which soon raised a desire
to put him down. Accordingly one of
the seniors required to be informed of the
time of day. -
'Why," said the gentleman, ''the fact
is, had drop too much last night, and
forgot to wind up my watch"
''Just so p calculated the senior "you
forgot to wind it up did you? You'd be
puzzled to do that, | should say, wouldn't
you, now 2"
!, ''Well, sir, you seem to take more no.
tice of such trifle than there is any call
for; 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 pc
culiar style fthe watch. At last one, of
the company loudly told him that he had
no watch at all about him; upon which
the amazed individual hastily clapped his
hand to his waistcoat pocket, having pre-
viously declared that, unless the watch had
been stolen since he had been in the room,
he had one. Satisfied apparently, by the
external application to his pocket, he said,
"lt's all right ; my watch is here
me-" os
'lll bet you 95 you've nowatch," bawl-
ed out one of his tormentors another of
fered to bet him elO; and one of the
strangers said he hadn't e5, but there were
two sovereigns which he would like to dou-
bic by betting in the same way. The ava
kened sleeper looked at them with aston
ishment, and asked if they were serious,
They all stuck to it that he had no watch
and then he took out his purse and pro
duced five and ten pound notes to the
amount of the bets offered against him.
The stakes were were posted and the
thoroughly awakened sleeper coolly pull
ed out the piece of wood, at which hoarse
laugh against him /; but the laughter was
soon on the other side, when, touching a |
spring in the bit of wood, it flew open and
displayed a very handsome gold watch |
snugly encased within it. The gentleman
gave plausible reason for preferring so
odd-looking a case for his watch, with
which his dupes might either feel satisfied
or not: He had received their money to |
the extent of f40; and they had bought
knowledge of 'time of day." Of course
the very suggestive strangers lost nothing
by the business-in fact, they were the |
accomplices of this clever sharper.