The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-01-04
Srlrrtr1 Sturq.
From The Charleston Courier
Nook Auctions
STORY OF A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN

| ~. -
Dogberry
In October, 1852, was in Nav York
City, awaiting the sailing Of the steamer
atlantic Tor Liverpool, in which vessel !
had engaged my passage. A few days
before her sailing | walked down Broad
was,.to get draft for a few hundred
dollars cashed, at an otiice in Wall street
near Trinity Church | Was attracted bv
an auction. and "BeDare Of Mock due
tons being placarded in front of The
room, | felt no Hesitation in entering.-
| The auctloneer was selling watches one
| of my sons had requested me to buy him
good time piece, and regretted no.
having my ready money with me, lex
cep; few doIIa,>,) as saw very good
watch and chain Knocked down At n very
short price.
| eft the auction AMI wended my wa,
to Wall street, and after getting my draft
cashed, and taking a few oysters, DC, at
neigh boring cafe, returned into Broad
way on my way homewsrd. had for
gotten all about the auction until came
right up TO the stand. Tie aucuoneer
was still in his puI pit Going, going -
Cheap rs d,rt-must he sod-pawned
by broken gentleman, who can't re
deem sold to pay advance on the check
er Once, ,wice-$29 only brd for "a
! watch worth Sl4C, without The Chaiu.
seals, &c. Like "A Grccuy. b,I $50
"ThIrty dollars is fairy GrJ ouce-twice
thrice The watch i, yours, SIR ad.
dressing me.
stepped behind screen that stood
at the right, pald the money, and indiuy
no key TO the watch, asked # | could
get one to fit it. Whilst a man was
looking over some old keys, thought
would peep into my bargain, which peep
was attended with no satisfaction. Either
my eyes had deceived me- or they had
held up proper watch for sale, and bv
slight Of hand, turned over TO me ~ du
pi'cate to match" | expressed my dis
Satisfaction. "Oh SIR sald he, III vou
! don't ike this ch, We will begin IN -
few minutes the sale OF pawn OF iew
remarkably good silver watches-you
can buy of them, and whatever is the
difference, Ne will rofund." TLe.s ~.s
Al ease and honest assurance which ha
gnlIcd me OF all suspicion, and | thought
l would await the sale Of silver watches,
which in few minutes began.
h'd for very good watch ~ fu AS
| could judge, which Was knocked down
to me at S25. Tho cashier Immediately
handed over To me So, tie difference be
tween tins aud my first purchase. bet
gan to feel a little doubiful aud quietly
walked out, aud prucee hpmew ards
again. | hal not walked thirty steps,
when ! Was oyc:taken by man Of the
most pleasing address, and \ countenance
that BoNArARrE's great policemen, Fou.
CHE. would have looked at. however
| searchIngly, and turned away, satisfied
that there was "vIrtue in that mnn"-
Excuse me, sir" lie sad IL was a,
the ant,inn just nov, when you purchased
a watch. Ny brother l. Il deIrg,lrd me
to buy one TOR him, Wa" viii ienv. tie
| city At three To day, and this would suit
him exactly. had bid on it, and was
no, aware of your bid un,I | found it
"as nock,d down to YOU
/ My confidence returned. We are stran.
gers, sir, but if il will no, be liberty,
would be pleased TO give you any ad.
vance you require, as tue watch is good
one. and my brother will be much disap.
| pointed, having entrusted me with the
! purchasr.' Confidence rose Immediately
two degrees. NJ y dear sir replied, 4
dli not buy the watch on speculation
! you know what paid for II, S25-you
can have II at the same price You are
really kind, sir he replied. Who the
! Devil would have suspected such fel.
low to be rascal, or a Mock Auction
| Pimp ! did not, aud don't care who
knows it mem porte. lie continued We
are both, believe, gong up Broadway
! ohhge me by stopping at my hotel, where
| will pay you tie amount, and have the
! pleasure Of u glass Of "rnJ with a LenlIe.
man stranger, who has really done uIe
Kindness Would you have suspected
such man ! Again say, did not,
/ and don't care who knows il.
! We talked on the way, and found
him intelligent on all matters . pertaining
to the city. We reached his hotel il
WAS, think, the 'Fontiue, near the old
| Park Theatre. WAX in, sir GENERALLY
stay here, as the landlord married reIa.
/ t'oh VI uluo' ilo ~ SoOu Itbo", anu !
/ like TO advance his interest Uncle Toby
/ would have drawn him close up, and
shielded him with his cloak, il the cold
wind blew too roughly for him. Damn
bm, il he had not asked me TO wine with
him | should have called for n soft-back
crab and bottle Of champagne BY
good luck saved that Take seat,
sir. pray /; will be with you drectIy.'-
He was absert shot time, when he 70
turned, and remarked. Pray excuse me,
and walk to the Lext house with me !;
they tell me my brother is there Damn
the brother, thought to myself, what
have TO do with him but, like q fool
| went. He marched me right into
another auction room, where they were
selling watches, in 'front.' of which WAS my
protector, Beware of mock auctions' He