Smyrna times., 1867-04-10
A Cunning Sleeper.

The following very adroit trick was recently
played in one of the public inns In, England
A gentleman genteely dressed waleed IN and
professed to be tired. Having taken refresh
ments, he said he would take nap for an
hour. To sleep he went, and IN very ousl-
ness-like style, in a chair, and long. nap ne
appeared to enjoy. Before 1t expired the
usual smoke-pipe company began to drop IN,
and among the rest two strangers made their
appearance. One of the company remarked
that it was unpleasant to have man sleeping
in public room with valuable property about
him such as the sleeper, who had hne-look-
ing gold guard-ch displayed on his waist
coat andsapparently connected with watch
in one of his pockets. To this remark one OF
the strangers replied:
Pooh that's no gentleman, IN sure he )
one ov them ere swell mob as is always a-takln
of people in dare say he has no watch at
all but I'll soon see.
Suiting the action to the word, the stranger
softly drew from the sleeping man 5 pocket a
piece of wood round. and about the slze oil
watch.
II thought 50, said he; there's a pretty
watch for you, holding it up SO that the com
pany might see it, and then returned 1t to the
owner 5 pocket. - i,
By-and-by the sleeper awoke, and called
briskly for glass of brandy and water. lie
assumed quite a patronizing air to the farmers,
which soon raised desire to put him down.
Accordingly, one Of the seniors required to be
informed the time OF day.
"Why," said the gentleman, " the tact Is,
had a drop too much last night, and forgot
to wind up my watch.
Just so p calculated the senior, you for,
got to wind it up? You'd be puzzled to dc
that, | should say. wouldn't you, now
"Wen, sir, you seem to take more notice OF
tho - p1Il fnr
truth is | have not a watch-key about me
and mine is rather peculiar watch.
Here burst of laughter ensued and mum
: Der of Jokes were passed about the pccuha
style of the watch. At last one Of the compa
ny loudlp told him that he had no watch at al
y about him; whercupOn the amazed ndlvldua
0 hastily capped his hand to his waistcoat poc,k
ct, having previously declared that, unless tn
t watch had been stolen since he had been III tn
+ room he had one. Satisfied apparently, b
Il the external application to his pocket, h'
: at is all right-my watch is here.
/, thought you had been playing u trick upo
/, me.
II "I'll bet you Ej you have no watch, baw
n cd out one of his tormenters; another ohere
II to bet him go and one Of the strangers san
h he hadn't five, but there were two sovereign
which he would like to double by betting
Is the same way.
;, The awakened sleeper looked at them in a
m tonishment, and asked if they were serlop
in They all stuck to it that he had no waatcl
III and then he took out his purse and produce
4 five and ten pound notes to the amount OF Il
Mt bets offered him The stakes were, posted
as and then the thoroughly awakened sleep
lie coolIy pulled out the piece Of wood, at wine
1e horse-laugh arose against HIM. The lang
X ter was soon on the other side, when, touchli
10 the spring in the bit Of wood, it flew open al
disclosed a very handsome gold watch snug
encascd within it.
q The gentleman gave very plausible rea>C
OF for prelerring so odd looking a case Tor ;
er watch, with which his dupes might either io
e, satisfied or not lie had received their mon
Is to the extent of Gao, and they had boug
their knowledge Of the time OF day.
rn