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Show A QLSVER PICKPOCKET. YXs Wr.s & 'Rnsslan and Alarmed and fius-prised fius-prised u Grand Bnltc. Gna day, at tho dinner table of grand dnko, tho French embassador ex-lolled ex-lolled tho dexterity of his fellow conn' trymen, as exemplified, among othei things, in the cleverness of tho Paria pickpockets. "I shonld not wonder if tho St. Pe-sersburg Pe-sersburg pickpockets could givo them a start," replied tho grand duke. And seeing an incredulous smile play arouud Jho features of tho embassador ho added. "Will you bet that, before we rise from Sho tablo your watch or some other valuable will not bo taken from your person?" Tho embassador accepted tho wage tor the fun of tho thing, and the grand dnko toler-boned to tho chief constable asking him to send at once thocevoresl pickpocket ho could lay his hands on. Tho latter was to receive tho full valus of every articlo ho managed to "annex'' tnd bo allowed to go unpunished. Tho man caino and was put into liv-tiry liv-tiry and told te wait at table along with the other servants. Tho grand duke told him to givo him a sign as soon as he bad accomplished tho trick. But h? had to wait a long time, for the embas-tador, embas-tador, whose watch was the article fcc be experimented upon, always kept on the alert, and even held his hand to his fob when conversing with tho most distinguished dis-tinguished guests at the table. At laBt tho grand duke received the preconcerted preconcert-ed signal. Ho atonco requested the embassador em-bassador to tell him the tima Tho latter lat-ter trinmphantly put his hand to his pocket and drew forth a potato, instead of his watch 1 There was a general burst of laughter, in which the embassador himself joined, though with a wry f ace for ha was unmistakably annoyed. To conceal his feelings he would take & pinch of snuff his snuffbox was gone) Then he missed tho seal ring from his finger, and lastly the gold toothpick which he always carried about with him in a little case. Amid tho hilarity of the guests tho sham lackey was requested request-ed to restore tho articles, but the grand duke's merriment was changed into alarm and surprise when tho thief produced pro-duced two watches, two rings, two snuffboxes, snuff-boxes, eto His imperial highness made tho discovery that ho himself had been sobbed at the same time. Nene Blast |