He stepped into a billiard saloon to enjoy his favorite pastime. In the absence of any companion he played a game with a man employed in the establishment, and, naturally, got beaten, though he was given odds. At the end of an hour he owed sixty cents, and decided not to continue.

 

"You play too well for me," he said, in a tone of disappointment.

 

"You had bad luck," answered his opponent, soothingly. "However, I can more than make it up to you."

 

"How?" inquired Harold, becoming interested.

 

"A friend of mine has pawned his watch for fifteen dollars. It is a valuable gold watch--cost seventy-five. He could have got more on it, but expected to redeem it. He has been in bad luck, and finds it no use. He has put the ticket in my hands, and is willing to sell it for ten dollars. That will only make the watch cost twenty-five. It's a big bargain for somebody."

 

Harold was much interested. He had always wanted a gold watch, and had dropped more than one hint to that effect within the hearing of Aunt Eliza, but the old lady had always said: "When you are eighteen, it will be time enough to think of a gold watch. Till then, your silver watch will do."

 

Harold took a different view of the matter, and his desire for a gold watch had greatly increased since a school friend about his own age had one. For this reason he was considerably excited by the chance that seems to present itself.

 

"You are sure the watch is a valuable one?" he asked.

 

"Yes; I have seen it myself."

 

"Then why don't you buy the ticket yourself?"

 

"I haven't the money. If I had, I wouldn't let anybody else have it."

 

"Let me see the ticket."

 

The other produced it from his vest pocket, but, of course, this threw no light upon the quality of the watch.

 

"I can secure the watch, and have nearly five dollars left," thought Harold. "It is surely worth double the price it will cost me, and then I shall have something to show for my money."

 

On the other hand, his possession of the watch would excite surprise at home, and he would be called upon to explain how he obtained it. This, however, did not trouble Harold.

 

"I've a great mind to take it," he said, slowly.

 

"You can't do any better. To tell the truth, I hate to let it go, but I don't see any prospect of my being able to get it out myself, and my friend needs the money."

 

Harold hesitated a moment, then yielded to the inducement offered.

 

"Give me the ticket," he said. "Here is the money."

 

As he spoke, he produced a ten-dollar bill. In return, the ticket was handed to him.

 

The pawnbroker, whose name was found on the ticket, was located less than fifteen minutes walk from the billiard saloon. Harold, eager to secure the watch, went directly there.

 

"Well, young man, what can I do for you?" asked a small man, with wrinkled face and blinking eyes.

 

"I want to redeem my watch. Here is the ticket."

 

The old man glanced at the ticket, then went to a safe, and took out the watch. Here were kept the articles of small bulk and large value.

 

Harold took out fifteen dollars which he had put in his vest pocket for the purpose, and tendered them to the pawnbroker.

 

"I want a dollar and a half more," said the old man.

 

"What for?" asked Harold, in surprise.

 

"One month's interest. You don't think I do business for nothing, do you?"

 

"Isn't that high?" a............