A BEGGAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 30 April 1891, Page 4

A BEGGAR.

§■ •• Gentlemen," he began, in a smooth -> voice, "I am dead-broke, but no beggar. 1 'want to raise about ten shillings, but I shall [doit in a legitimate manner. Now, then, 'let me ask you to Inspect this. 1 ' jk- He*took from his pocket a piece of iron chain, as large as his thumb, and containing 'fix links. He passed it round and, after it jßad been carefully inspected by each of the [party, he continued : y "I want to bet my overcoat, which is worth two pounds, against ten shillings in cash that none of you can separate one link from the others." The piece of chain was passed round again to be more closely scrutinised, and finally one of the party, who was a machinist, returned it with the remark : " And I want to take that sum against your overcoat that you can't doit yourself."' "Done!" said the stranger, as he pulled Off his coat. ■: Coat and cash were put in the hands of a stakeholder, and the stranger asked tho group to follow him. He walked across the street and into a blacksmith's shop, and, * picking up a hammer and chisel, he de- * fiberately cut a link. '• The onlookers :;tood, like so many bumkins at a country fair, but when the stranger ■held up the link and claimed the stakes, the machinist recovered his wits sufficiently to [exclaim : , U " Sold by a professional swindler ! The money is yours; but in exactly thirty seconds after you receive it I shall begin to kick, and you had belter be twenty yardsoff." "y "Thanks — glad to have met you — good day I" replied the stranger, and he was out 'of sight in seven seconds. . s