A DISCRIMINATING PICKPOCKET.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3005, 11 February 1881, Page 4

A DISCRIMINATING PICKPOCKET.

Ifc was one of Dickens' after-dinner stories, and was told to me by an English friend who heard the great novelist tell it for the first time afc a symposium held after the curtain had fallen upon one of those delightful scenes in which Dickens, Mark Lemon, Wilkie Collins, and a few other choice spirits were wont to take parts on the histrionic boards. Of course ifc must have been in print, but I have never seen it; and I will tell ifc as it was told to me.

Dickens was the owner of a watch which he prized very highly, ifc having been a present to him from the Queen. Ho would not accept an empty title ; but he could not refuse to accept a simple token of his sovereign's friendship and esteem. One evening, while at the theatre, in Paris, that watch was stolen from him. His guard-chain had been worn very conspicuously, and on his way out through the lobby in a crowd, the inestimable souvenir was adroitly taken from his pocket—chain, seal, and all. After leaving the theatre. Dickens spent an hour, more or less, with some friends afc a cafe, where he told of his loss, being free to confess his grief and disgust—grief for the departure of a prized token of friendship, and disgust with himself that he should have allowed a French pick pocket thus to despoil him. If ifc had been a pupil of Fagin—an artist from the historic precinct of Tom-all-Alonc's —he wouldn't have minded ifc so much" " I wouldn't have believed a Frenchman could do it," he declared.

Biit a surprise was in store for him. On returning to his hotel, Mr Dickens was met by the concierge, who had a package for him which a gentleman had left; there half-an-hour before. On taking it to his room, and opening it, he f jund his watch, with tho following note, written in a very fair hand, laid on top : — " Sir, —I hope you will excuse me for the

liberty I took. I thought I was relieving a Frenchman. I never dreamed that I was dealing with a [countryman. Bufc the inscription on you? watch fcoH me my mistake; and that mistake I hasten to repair so far as it lies in my power. I herewith return your property, and with it allow me to tender my sincere respect and regard. Trusting, my honored countryman, that I may have your forgiveness, I am, your humble and obedient servant, A London Pickpocket."

Dickens went to bed feeling very thankful that he had his royal souvenir back again ; and, moreover, thankful that ho had not been toyed with and despoiled by a Frenchman!