Year: 1873

smile, however, was soon changed to look
of intense surprise, which was very much en-
joyed by the bystanders, for they expected
that g gentleman number three would soon
appear and unravel to his friends this anus
ing mystery. But, alas Number three nev-
er came back. He was. it seems a true
artist, who had coolly robbed the amateur
as publicly as the latter robbed his friend
In the hurry and confusion oflanding number
three made his escape, so the amateur was
Obliged to compensate his friend for the con-
tents OF his pocket book, probably resolving,
at the same time, to eschew ever after any
such practical jokes.


While the writer was one day conversing in
ear with friend on this subject, he told the
following story: The best Joke know of
about pickpockets, Is what happened tc a
gentleman named A, who at the time was
president of one of our New York hanks.
lhad occasion to 90 to Philadelphia to at
tend to some business in which 4 - was
interested, and in the cars met a friend. an
old gentleman and his grown mp son.


When we reached Philadelphia, the old
gentleman declined getting into the coach of
the MOTEL to which we We're going, preferring
TO 90 more cheaply by tine horse cars. We
got to the hotel before him, and when he
lolned US he said he had had his pocket picked
on the ears. Mr.. A had been talking
with friend about something else. but
catching a word or two Of our conversation
he asked me about it, and when told him
what had happened he said, "Ohi can
never have any sympathy with a man who
has had his pocket picked. Why, when |
was getting on the cars at New York, n fel
low reached across me very roughly, pretend
ing that he wanted to reach the knob OF the
door. looked at him, and knew in a moment
that he was pickpocket; 50 | just put my
hand on my breast pocket, where carried my
pocket book and papers, and kept it there,
while looked at him 81 A. to let him see
that | knew who he was and what he was
after


We then went on conyerSing about the
business that had brought Us to Philadel
phia. After discussing it for some time Mr..
A. wished to show Us some memoranda
he had made. and put his hand into his breast
pocket to yet his pocket book, in which they
were. | saw him start, and asked what was
the matter when he exclaimed, with a coun-
tenance expressing the most intense astonish-
ment, ''Why. my pocket-book is gone


1t was very clear that the man that reach
edacross him had taken his pocket book and
that he had been ever since feeling the other
papers in his breast pocket, and been thus
deluded with the idea that his pocket book
was safe. 1t was a very serious business for
him, for he had brought on about $50, ,000
worth of notes of Philadelphia merchants To
negotiate for his bank. and he had besides
five or six hundred dollars in bills He ask
ed me what he should do, when | advised
him to telegraph Immediately t. New York,
and put an advertisement in the papers offer
ing about y 600 for the return of the papers
lie replied, "Oh no; $500 will do. -
Very well, " said /, try it." lie did try
it. and received a note stating that $4,000
were required. He tried to negotiate for
less, but was finally compelled to pay the
price named Since then have occasionally
amused myself by quoting to him his own
remark "Oh | can have no sympathy
with a man who has had his pocket picked
" y Imes.