New-York tribune., 1885-08-10
NOT TO BE TRICKED TWICE.

A man with flOrid face and clearcut feats
ures whose eyes had peculiarly innocent look In them
got on an elevated railroad the other day to como
down town He became absorbed IN the contents or
newspaper aud apparently did not notice young man
sitting near him. whose eyes seemed rveted upon bis
heavy gold watch chain. After several stops d the sta
tions the car became nearly empty. The young man
suddenly and crossing over to the Old geaienan re-
marked:
Il beg your PARDON sir but is not this your pursef
found IL In the seat by your sldc."
The older man looked the purse and then at the
young man fnca. fall minute Then :ho carefully re-
moved his glasses, wiped them with has handkerchiefs
smiled to himself and calmly queried:
And If 1t was not mine what would you do with ~"
"why-of course" said the young fellow slightly
coloriug. I'd return 1t to the owner"
"Oh, yes. see. But young man, sit down here fora
minute and let lme tell of Of scene that once wit
ne ssed."
The young man somewhat tdsconeertcd, mechanically
obeyed and allowed the elder to proceed.l
day Ia Al r three years ago. was passing
through Chatnbers-st, Oh business errand. when
cspcd pair Of adys kid gloves lying upon the side
walk hurried forward to pick them up; but WAS just
too ate us another person short distance ahead OF
secured them. lie looked at me in q quizzca manner.
aud when l asked him to let them, lie politely
assened But II fearful OF being he nudged
to IN open doorway where we could look at our
from his hand aud pulled them apart, to examine
their worth was surprised 10 hnd large hcavy lump
OF something tied up OF the fingers With greedy
haste 1 coinmupicate to him discovery, when Le
spatohed the GLOVES from my hand and commenced
working article Of the finger hole. In few
menfs he held up to my astonished view handsome
ieweed ring, which at the lowest ought TO have been
worth $50. I expressed my surprise In q very opcn
way and asked him to let mo see It. This lie did, ana
at the same time asked what thought 1t was worth
I unhesatingy gave hun my opinion. Then what
had we better with it he asked. Why. advertise 10
In the papers, suggested and the owner VIII probably
give us a handsome price for returning It, This he
Thought was "a very good plan. but he then his
way train OF the city for month two.
and he aid not be able to receive OF
the money. I'll tell you he fnally said the owner
will give you at least ten dollars for returning IT, aud
you will give five dollars now will surrender the
gloves aud ring to YOU How docs that sliti It's far,
ISN'T tf 80
Well yes had to acknowledge 1t was, ana so with.
out murmuring handed him five dollars ana walked
away with the ring The next two days advertised IN
the papers or tho ring but no one cano
TO claim it, On tho fourth day concluded had acted
honestly In the matter and now Justified IN selling
IT, took it TO prominent jewellers where knew ite
true value would be given and-what do you think 10
wvrthF'
the smiling eyes OF the speaker.
Why, II was brass ring worth about three centA
and put In the gloves by that rlsra OF swincr Now,
then" continued the gentleman In severe tone, whae
would you do II you discovered that same fellow up to
his old trick againi'
"Ah! but this Is my station; must 20 Good morn-
ing And the young man with the purse slid gently
along the car, and disappeared IN the crowd the
PLATFORM The old gen leman RESUMED bis reading, aud
chucked TO himself every now aud then.