Page:Armatafragment00ersk.djvu/160

 I told him, however, giving him at the same time my address, that what he asked for was at his service, but not as the price of his watch, which should be re-delivered on the re-payment of the money. He seemed greatly affected by my proposal, returned me a thousand thanks, pressed my hands between his, and turning aside, as if to conceal his tears, retired with the bank notes I had given him. On returning home I shewed the watch to my family, taking not a little credit for having refused so advantageous a bargain, saying it must be, at least, of equal value with my own, which had cost me five times the money. I now put my hand into my pocket to make the comparison, but found I had it not. To cut the matter short, which you no doubt already anticipate, it was my own watch I had paid for, which this ingenious stranger had deprived me of in the play-house, and sold to me as his." Seeing my friend almost convulsed with laughter, I could not help saying to him, "Laughable as it may be, it is scarcely an exaggeration of the account you