The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-27
BADLY SOLD.

NuN LbmAN genueelly ures5eu,
IN walked into an inn, and professed
to be tired. Having taken refreshments,
he said he would take nap for an hour.
To sleep he went in a very business-like
style, in chair, and long nap he appear
ed to enjoy. Before it expired, the usual
ke-pipe company began to drop in, and
with others, two strangers made their ap-
pearance. One of the company said that
it was unpleasant to have a man sleeping
in public room, with valuable property
about him such as the sleeper, who had
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 likely one NV them ere swell mob
as is always a taking of people in--I dare
say he has no watch at all but I'll soon
see."
Suiting the action of the word, the
stranger softly drew forth out of the sleep
ing mans pocket a piece of wood, round,
and about the size of a watch.
"I thought so" holding it up that the
company might see it, and then returned it
to the owners pocket. By and by the
sleeper awoke, and called briskly for a
glass of brandy and water. He assumed
quite a patronizing air to the farmers,
which soon raised a desire to put him
down. Accordingly one of the seniors in
quired 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," calculated the senior, "you
forgot to wind it up, did you? You'd be
puzzled to do that, should say, wouldn't
you, now?"
"Well, sir, you seem to take more notice
of such trifle, than there is any call for 4;
but the truth is, have not watch-key
about me, and mine is rather peculiar
watch.'
Here burst of laughter ensued, a num-
er 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 about him whereupon the amaz-
ed individual 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
"It's all right, my watch is here. l
thought you had been playing trick upon
me-"
"I'll bet you e5 as you've no watch, +"
bawled out one of his tormentors another
offered to bet him e10, ard one of the
strangers said he hadn't e5, but there were
two sovereigns which he should like to
double by betting in the same way. The
awakened sleeper looked at them with as
tonishment, and asked if they were serious.
They all stuck to it that he had no
watch; and he then took out his purse and
produced five and ten pound notes to the
amount of the bets offered against him.
The stakes were posted, and then the thor
oughly awakened sleeper coolly pulled out
the piece of wood, at which horse laugh
rose against him; but the laughter was soon
on the other side, when touching spring
in the bit of wood, it flew open, and dis
played q very handsome gold watch snugly
! encased within. The gentleman gave q
! plausible reason for prefering SO odd q
looking case for his watch, with which his
dupes might either feel satisfied or not
He had received their money to the extent
of GAO, and they had bought knowledge
of the time of day." OF course, the very
suggestive strangers lost nothing by the
business--in fact they were accomplices o.
this clever sharper.