polite invitation, and besides I had a curiosity to see what there was
to be seen, so I went in. They put up a silver watch, I could see that
it was a good one, and so I bid on it. It ran up to eight dollars and
a quarter. I thought it was a pity it should go off so cheap, so I bid
eight and a half."

"'Eight and a half and sold,' said the man; 'shall I put it up for you?"

"'No, I thank you,' said I, 'I'll take it as it is.'

"'But I'll put it up in a nice box for you,' said he.

"I told him I didn't care for the box. He seemed very unwilling to let
it go, but I took it out of his hand and he couldn't help himself. Well,
when they made out the bill, what do you suppose they charged?"

"I don't know."

"Why, eighteen and a half."

"'Look here,' said I, 'I guess here's something of a mistake. You've got
ten dollars too much.'

"'I think you must be mistaken,' said he, smiling a foxy smile.

"'You know I am not,' said I, rather cross.

"We can't let that watch go for any thing shorter,' said he, coolly.

"Just then a man that was present stepped up and said, 'the man is
right; don't attempt to impose upon him.'

"With that he calmed right down. It seems it was a policeman who was
sent to watch them, that spoke. So I paid the money, but as I went out
I heard the auctioneer say that the sale was closed for the day. I
afterwards learned that if I had allowed them to put the watch in a box,
they would have exchanged it for another that was only plated."

"Do you know anybody in the city?" asked Paul.

"I've got some relations, but I don't know where they live."

"What is the name?" asked Paul, "we can look into the directory."

"The name is Dawkins," answered the pedler.

"Dawkins!" repeated Paul, in surprise.

"Yes, do you happen to know anybody of the name?"

"Yes, but I believe it is a rich family."

"Well, so are my relations," said Jehoshaphat. "You didn't think
Jehoshaphat Stubbs had any rich relations, did you? These, as I've heard
tell, hold their heads as high as anybody."

"Perhaps I may be mistaken," said Paul.

"What is the name--the Christian name, I mean--of your relation?"

"George."

"It must be he, then. There is a boy of about my own age of that name.
He works in the same office."

"You don't say so! Well, that is curious, I declare. To think that I
should have happened to hit upon you so by accident too."

"How are you related to them?" inquired Paul.

"Why, you see, I'm own