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they would pay. Several of them gave all3 they possessed but the king was not satisfied, believing they had yet money concealed: he therefore ordered them to be tortured, until they would acknowledge it.

Some were deprived of an eye, and one in particular, from whom a sum of ten thousand marks was demanded, was treated with yet greater cruelty. The king ordered that one of his teeth should be pulled out every day, till he paid the money. The Jew, not being disposed to reduce himself to poverty, resisted during a whole week, and thus lost seven of his teeth; but unable to bear the pain any longer, he consented on the eighth day, and thus preserved the rest of his teeth at the expense of his fortune: otherwise he would have soon lost all his teeth. Happily for that people they live now in a less barbarous age. No one need fear punishment unless he deserve it.

48.

Real or Intrinsic Value.

A lady who had more money than good sense, was very fond, when she was in the country, of showing1 her jewels and other finery, in order to astonish the peasants, and give them an idea of her riches and superiority. One day a miller, who brought flour to the house, expressed his admiration of an elegant watch that she wore, and this flattered3 her pride so much that she showed him a superb diamond-necklace and bracelets.

The miller, after looking at them for some time with admiration, said: "They are very beautiful, and, I dare say, very dear." "Indeed, they are very dear; how much do you suppose they cost?" "Upon my word, I cannot guess," replied he. "Why, they cost more than 20,000 francs." "And what is the use of these stones, madam?" "Oh, they are only to wear." "And do they not bring you anything, madam?" "Oh, no." "Then," replied the

miller, "I prefer the two great stones of my mill; they cost me a thousand francs, and they bring me four hundred francs a year, and, besides that, I am not afraid that anybody will steal them." The lady was shocked at the vulgarity of his ideas, and the miller was astonished that any one could let so much money remain idle in such useless baubles.

49.

A Very Singular Excuse.

An Irishman, accused of having stolen a gun, was taken, and brought to justice.1 On the day of trial he was reflecting on2 what2 defense he should make before the juo çes, when he saw a fellow-prisoner return from the court, having been tried3 for3 stealing a goose. "Well," said the Irishnan, "how have you come off?" "Oh!" replied the other, "I am acquitted." "What defense did you make?" "Why, I told the judge that I had brought up the goose from the time it was a gosling, and that I had witnesses to prove it." "Very good, indeed," said Paddy, who was at that moment called into court to take his trial;" "wait a short time for me, I shall soon be acquitted."

He was then conducted to the bar, the accusation was read, and the judge asked him what he had to say in his defense. "My lord," replied the Hibernian, "I have brought up that gun ever since it was a pistol, and I can bring witnesses to prove it." The judge, however, and the jury were not sufficiently credulous, and poor Paddy was condemned to be transported.

50.

How to Catch a Pickpocket.'

A merchant in London, who used to walk very much in the city, the streets of which are always crowded and infested by pickpockets, was continually losing either his pocket-book, his snuff-box, or his purse, without ever being1

able to discover the thief. At last he thought of a very ingenious method which promised success. He went to a fishing-tackle shop and bought some strong fish-hooks, which he had sewed fast in his pocket with the points urned downwards, so that anybody might put his hand into the pocket, but could not draw it out without being caught.

Thus prepared he went out as usual to go on 'change, desiring one of his clerks to follow him at a short distance, to be ready in case he should catch a fish. On passing up Lombard-street, he felt a slight tug at his coat, and immediately set off to run, but was prevented by something holding him back. He turned and saw the pickpocket, and said: "Why do you hold my coat, sir? let me go, I am in a great hurry." At the same time he attempted to snatch the flap from him, which drove the fish-hooks further into his hand, and he cried out: "Oh! oh! sir, I cannot, you are tearing my hand to pieces; pray let me go." "Ah! ah!" said the merchant, "I have then caught the fish that has so frequently bitten; you are the pike, or rather the shark."

By this time the clerk had come up, and a crowd being assembled around them, had a hearty laugh at the fisherman and fish, whose fin was so firmly hooked that he was obliged to go with the merchant to a surgeon and have3 the flesh cut to disengage the hooks. The gentleman was satisfied with the trick, and did not send the pickpocket tolo prison; but ever after that he could walk safely through the city, with his pocket-book, purse, or snuff-box.

51.

A Singular Precaution.

Two young men1 set out together on a long journey; one of them was a great spendthrift, but the other being very economical, it was agreed, for their mutual benefit,

that the latter should have charge of the purse. The spendthrift soon found himself embarrassed, wishing to buy all the curiosities he saw, and not having money to do it. They slept both in the same room; and one night, after they had been some time in bed, the prodigal called to his friend, saying: "William, William!" but William did not answer, till he heard him call very loud, and fear ing he might disturb the people of the house, he said "Well, what do you want?" "Are you asleep?" said the other. "Why?" said William. "Because, if you do not sleep, I want to borrow a pound of you." "Oh, I am fast3 asleep," he replied, "and have been for some time."

Finding William inexorable, the other frequently got out of bed in the night, and looked about the room for his purse, but could never find it. At last they arrived at the end of their journey, which, by the economy of William, had cost but very little: his companion was much pleased, since he knew that if he had kept the purse, it would have been much more expensive. He then said to William: "Tell me, now that there is no more danger, where you hid the money every night, for I frankly confess that I have often endeavored to find it." "I expected that," said William, "and therefore I always waited till you were in bed; and, after putting out the light, I hid the purse in your own pocket, knowing that you would not seek it there, and took care to rise in the morning before you were up."8

The young man acknowledged that he was pleased with the trick his companion had played him; but told him it would, in future, be necessary to find another hiding-place.

52. Gratitude.

The lieutenant of the police of the caliph Manoun related to one of his friends the following story of an event which had happened to himself.

'I was one evening," said he, "with the caliph when a note was brought which seemed to irritate him very much. After reading it he said to me: 'Go into the next room; you will find a prisoner; keep him in safe custody to-night, interrogate him, and bring him before me to-morrow morning, or answer it with your head.' I took the man to my own apartment and asked him his country. I am,' replied he, of Damascus.' 'Indeed,' said I, 'that town is dear to me, for I owe my life to one of its inhabitants.' 'Your story,' replied he, 'must be interesting, will you tell it me?' 'I will,' said I; 'it is as follows:'

"Being once at Damascus, I had the misfortune to displease the caliph, and was pursued by the officers of justice. I escaped out of a back window, and sought refuge in another part of the town, where a citizen received me with kindness, and at the risk of his life, concealed me in his house till the pursuit was over; then he furnished me with money and a horse, to enable me to join a caravan that was going to Bagdad, my native city. I shall never forget his kindness, and I hope before my death to find an opportunity of proving my gratitude.'

"That opportunity is at this moment offered to you,' said my prisoner. 'I am the person who had the pleasure of rendering you that service.' He then related to me. some circumstances that convinced me he had been my protector. I asked him by what calamity he had excited the caliph's displeasure. I have had,' replied he, 'the misfortune to offend an officer who has great influence at court, and he, to revenge himself, has charged' me with an intention against the life of the caliph, for which, though innocent, I shall no doubt pay with my head.'

53.

The Same Subject Continued.

"No, generous friend,' said I, 'you shall not be sacri ficed; you are at liberty; take this purse, return to your

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