HOW THE WATCH CAME BACK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2425, 13 February 1909, Page 11 (Supplement)

HOW THE WATCH CAME BACK.

(By F. Willey Turner.) Aly friend Smith lost his watch. It does not matter where or when, suffice to say the.-watch went. Ho discovered his doss as he passed through one of the parks, and an empty fob and a lonely chain refused to indicate the time of the day. Not that the watoll in itself was of much value; it was an odctow-atch with a muchworn case, hut it was a watch of blessed memories. ‘lt had ticked in Ids father’s pocket before it had ticked m his, and every time ho looked, at it he seemed to hear a familiar voice say, “You shall have this watch, my son; it’s all I can give you to remember me by.” Moreover the thought of going to bed without first winding it up and hearing its friendly throb beneath the pillow was not pleasant to Smith. It was a decided break in the habit of some thirty years, and we none of us take kindly to such upheavals.

To a sympathetic policeman Smith detailed his loss, and was directed lor succour to tho nearest police station. There a sombre official leisurely wrote down manuto particulars of the watch in a long book, but shook his head doubtfully with regard to its ultimate recovery. “Of course we’ll--make all inquiries, and .particulars will be put on the pawnbrokers’ list. If wo hear* anything we’ll let you know.” This was not very consoling, and Smith s spirits sank to zero as he left the office. Then in a flash his mind was enlightened. The last time he had handled tho watch it ‘Was seven o’clock. He remembered distinctly •pulling it out to confirm the, hour as it chimed from a neighboring church. He was then standing by a fountain in a public square, where a number of women hawkers were displaying their wares. There was a bit- of crush at the time,. and he had to wait till the policeman held -up the traffic. That was when he lost- it, he was sure of it. He slapped his thigh in his exultation. A beggar by the curbstone, who mistook the action, was speedily disillusioned. Now Smith was a mail of resolution, and in the half-hour that it took loi a hansom to reach the square he had determined on a plan of action. Itwas a mere chance, but it inigiltcarry. ■ The elocj; struck nine -as he‘j alighted. The hawkers ■acre packing J up their goods and preparing to vacate their position. Sonic had already gone. He went up io one of them, and spoke boldly. “I lost a watch here two hours ago; you don’t happen, any of you, to have seen it?”

“Oh! crikey!” cried the woman addressed, “’ore’s a toff, girls, as ’as lost ’is (blooming ticker, any of ycr seen it?”

“Raytlier,” cried one, as tho women crowded round 'Smith. “I saw •it lying in the middle of the street, a gold un it were an’ all di’monds. I hadn’t time to pick it up as I was a-selling a ibutton-kole to ’is ’iglmess the Duke of Cambridge.”

“I saw a bobby (bone it,” cried another, and more banter follow ed. But (Smith, in pursuance of his -resolution, went bravely on. “It’s not worth much as a watch, but I should dike to Have it back again, it. . .

An elderly virago olbowcd her way through the group and put her lace close to his. There was a fighting light in her eyes. “Do yer think we filched yer blooming ticker?” “Jt belonged to my father,”-con-tinued Smith suavely, “and I shouldn’t mind, if any of you should find it, giving two pounds to have it hack again.” “Say! do yer think we filched yer ticker?” interrupted the .'virago again.

“And it wouldn’t bo worth more than one pound to anyone else,” pursued Smith.

“ ’Ere, Emma, ’old my basket, and I’ll knock ’im into the middle of next week.”

The timely sound of footsteps sent the womeii about their business, and Smith was beginning to think that after all he was ou the wrong tack, when one woman, lifting her basket on 'her head, passed him dose ' and whispered, “Wait about a bit, boss, and yer may ’ear suunnat.” •Smith walked tho square a full hour, and was about to go when a man, ill-clad and unshaven, emerged from a side street-.

“Are yer the toff ’as, lost his ticker?” .

“Yes,” said Smith eagerly. “And what will yer pay if a poor cove should find it for yer?” “Two pounds the -moment it is in my hands.”

'“Honor bright?”hashed the man huskily. ■

“Honor bright,” replied Smith.' “Say ‘Wish I may die if I put the tecs on,” continued the vagabond. “Wish 1 may die if I put the tecs on,” repeated Smith. “Yer he ’ere, igov’ner, same time to-morrow” ; and the man vanished •as quickly as he came.. - My friend .Smith kept .the tryst, a’ml paced the square the next night for a. long time, but no one appeared. He began to lose hope. • The square was

dark and lonely, and one or two disre-putable-loafers who had.passed and eyed him curiously'did not add to his feeling of safety. It suddenly struck him'that these might he scouts sent to see -if the way was - dear, and he waited on. All at once a voice behind him said, “ ’Eire’s yor ticker, goy’ner; hand over yer two quid.” Smith turned to see his acquaintance of tho previous night holding out a small tied parcel'in one hand,' and the other extended to receive the promised reward.

He soized tho parcel, and began to finger his purse. Then he had thoughts. He would see the inside first. He slipped back his purse and began to undo the string. PlaHnly the man was disconcerted by the action. He moved uneasily as Smith pullecLot the knot. Then he burst into a hoarse laugh. “You’reacute ’unand-no mistake, boss; take yor ticker,” and lie. produced tho watch from under his ragged coat. Smith .grasped it with eagerness, and, forgetful for the moment of the trick attempted on him, put the promised sum into tho fellow’s palm, who instantly decamped. As my friend walked home congratulating himself that he had gone one better than the police, and glad at heart to have the watch back in his pocket, lie suddenly bethought (him of the package which he still retained in lias hand. Ho opened it 'under a street lamp. It contained the lid of an old blacking-tin, packed solid with brown paper.