I
doubt if he could make out the hour if he possessed one."
"Oh, yes he could. Boys are not nearly so stupid as you might imagine," I
responded assuringly. "He is very anxious for one. I have been examining
the jeweller's stock and can get a very nice-looking watch for five
dollars. I was surprised, and think they are marvels of cheapness."
"You go entirely by looks, I see, in the matter; but that is all that
bright-hued youth will require. Yes, by all means get the watch. Thereby
you will add considerably to the pile of human happiness, for a short
time, at all events."
"Would five dollars be too high to pay for one?" I asked doubtfully.
"If you can secure one at a lower price do so by all means," he said with
apparent sincerity.
"There were some for two and a half dollars; but they looked rather large
for a boy of his size."
"The less boy the more watch, I should say; but be sure and get a large
chain. If the watch gets to be trying on his nerves, he can use the chain
to put an end to his troubles."
"If he needed them, there are plenty of straps and rope ends about the
stable; but Samuel enjoys life too keenly to be easily disconcerted at a
few trials. I was looking at the chains too. I did not know before that
jewelry was so low priced."
"Yes?" he responded, more as a question than affirmation.
"I saw elegant watch chains at one of the stores for fifty cents. I told
the clerk who I wanted them for, and he very kindly interested himself,
and showed me some that he called 'dead bargains.
Pages:
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198