The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-12-17
AN AUCTION WATCH.

The Bidding Went to Ten Dollars ant
 the Timepiece Went Into velve
 Case.
 One evening in Los Angeles, on on, of the best streets and in one of tht finest localities. I passed a jewelr5 stare where an auction was in pro. gress. I stepped in out of curiosity and was informed that the head of the establishment was dead, and that the entire stock was going for song in or der to close out quickly. observed that everything was first-class and that the attendants were neat, atten- tive and courteous There was nothing cheap, even about the auctioneer, who was holding up a watch for a bid. An | lexamlnation showed the case was solid gold and the movement the best.
 had a watch, and yet, for the fun Iof the thing, made an offer of three dollars, and was informed by one of the attendants that no bill less than five dollars would be considered on a gold watch. But the auctioneer declared he had forgotten to make the statement, and so would let that one go for what he could get. Then came bid of five, and I increased it to six. Seven was bid, and I raised 1t to eight. Then came nine, and I made it nine-ifty. But the half dollar bid was rejected, and so I made 1t ten even. was taken by surprise to have 1t knockeddown to me, but I had wit enough left to take the timepiece directly from the auc- tioneer's hands to avoid any chance of substitution
 Then clerk offered'me dollar not to take 1t, and increased this to five. I examined the watch again and finding 1t all right, I stood pat. Thereupon the clerk produced a velvet case that went with the watch, and ob1gingly inclosed l 1t for me, and tied it up in neat little package.
 Then my attention was attracted by some articles in a rear show case, and while examining them I overheard some one telephonlng that a certain line of goods had been sold out, and to rush over some more. That aroused my suspicious and on opening the package, l discovered I was the posses sor of a gilt washed case and the cheapest kind of movement.
 I demanded back my money and sought for the clerk but to no purpose. So made Rome howl, and was told to get out or I would be fired out. I told them to fire away, and all the time I kept firing away how I had been bun- coed. Then a policeman was called and the store was cleared and closed for the night.
 told the officer about the trick, but he said 1t was not for him. I must swear swear out a warrant or have re- course to some civil procedure. I told him 1t would be too late, or at best would cost more than it was all worth: besides I was stranger He told me should have thought of all that in the first place.
 was not only warm under the col- lar, l was hot all over, and early the next day went back for redress or re- venge. But I found the curtains down and the doors locked, and could arouse no one, although I heard people inside Then I went to jeweler near by to find out what the thing was worth. and was informed it wasn't worth a copper. but that the manufacturers sold them for five dollars a dozen, The jeweler said the snide concern was going from | city to city working the same game, and, although 1t hurt his business. he | was powerless to intervene because of the trouble and expense. That evening I went back to make another disturb ] anee, but found the birds of prey had taken wing.--W. R, K. in the Chicago Tribune.