TRICK 149 



But to come to what I witnessed mvself. It was one 

 cold frosty morning shortly after Christmas ; I was on 

 my journey down, with him on the box — the only 

 passenger I had on the outside — when a man, having 

 the appearance of a mechanic, held up his hand. I 

 stopped, and, saying he was going to Hoddesdon, he got 

 up, and sat on the front of the roof behind us. He was 

 no sooner seated than my hero addressed him, — 



"Just from town? — Been up to receive your dividend, 

 I suppose ? " 



The man said he had gone up for that purpose, but 

 had met with a great disappointment. This led to- 

 further questions. AYhat was he ? — A master-bricklayer. 

 What could he earn per week ? — Twenty-five shillings. 

 What property had he ? — Four cottages. What did they 

 bring in ? — Five pounds a year each. 



" And you are in a little difficulty ? " 



" To tell vou the truth, I am." 



The man then told a tale of deep and pitiable distress : 

 the recent death of his daughter after a long illness, the 

 expense of the doctor, funeral, &c. The fellow pre- 

 tended to have compassion on him, and, telling him that 

 he went about for the purpose of assisting the distressed, 

 asked him what sum he thought would set him straight 

 with the world. The poor fellow, believing his questioner 

 to be what he was only enacting, innocently enough said 

 twenty pounds would set his mind at rest ; the latter 

 immediately unbuttoned his coat, put his hand in his 

 breeches pocket, and took out twenty sovereigns- 

 counterfeits they might have been — and, holding them 

 up to the man, said, — - 



