we?'

"This last part of the sentence was addressed to spark Number 2, who,
with his legs comfortably over the corner of the table, was picking his
teeth with his fork.

"`I shall, by jingo!' slowly drawled out Number 2, `dine well here!
damned comfortable; nothing wanted but the Champagne.'

"`Lord, Lord! gentlemen,' exclaimed Slick, `why did you not say so?
Why, I have the best in town.'

"`Faith, have you?' said Number 1, smacking his lips; `now have you the
real genuine stuff? Why then bring a bottle, landlord, and you must
join us; bring three glasses; by Jove, we will drink your health.'

"When Slick returned, he found his customers in high glee, and so
convulsive was their merriment, that they were obliged to hold their
sides. Slick laughed too, yet losing no time; in a moment, he presented
the gentlemen with the sparkling liquor. They took their glasses, drank
his health, and then recommenced their mirth.

"`And so you lost the wager?' asked Number 2.

"`Yes, by Heaven, I paid the hundred dollars, and, what was worse, was
laughed at by every body.'

"Slick was sadly puzzled, the young men had been laughing, they were now
talking of a bet, and he knew nothing of it. He was mightily
inquisitive; and knowing, by experience, that wine opens the heart and
unlooses the tongue, he made an attempt to ascertain the cause of the
merriment.

"`I beg your pardon, gentlemen, if I make too bold; but please, what was
the subject of the wager the recollection of which puts you in so good a
humour?'

"`I'll tell you,' exclaimed Number 1, `and you will see what a fool I
have made of myself. You must know that it is impossible to follow the
pendulum of the clock with the hand, and to repeat "Here she goes--there
she goes," just as it swings to and fro, that is, when people are
talking all round you, as it puts you out. One day I was with a set of
jolly fellows in a dining-room, with a clock just like this in your
room; the conversation fell upon the difficulty of going on "Here she
goes," and "there she goes," for half an hour, without making a mistake.
Well, I thought it was the easiest thing in the world, to do it: and,
upon my saying so, I was defied to do it: the consequence was a bet of a
hundred dollars, and, having agreed that they could talk to me as much
as they pleased, but not touch me, I posted myself before the clock and
went on--"Here she goes, there she goes," while some of my companions
began si