Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/109

Rh and ten times as strong? Sir, there are two or or three pieces of real India handkerchiefs, fine wear, that will last your life-time; and always look well, never wear out: One is yellow—one is chocolate,—one is. What a pity! Only just now I sold a [country] gentleman,—your size,—a beautiful fine waistcoat piece (describing the one you wear)—full size, genteel, fast colours, never wear out, at—what d'ye think?" (then he starts out with a sum just half its value)—"Down there, Sir; yes, Sir, at that house with the grapes out, and chequers on, I'll show you such things as you never saw. Very well worth your notice, Sir; no harm done, though you should not buy. I have a pint of porter there half drank, just step in and look at them." Then, part by persuasion, part by force, he hands along his customer to a dark back room, where probably he exhibits some really good articles, if he has a judge of them to deal with, but taking care to "ring the changes" upon wrapping them up, on the event of a purchase. The certainty of a "do" is no longer problematical.

A master-piece of the game is, where his confederate comes in, and begins a conversation with his brother buffer. At the first, quite strangers to each other, the comer-in proposes to withdraw,