CHAP. XVI.
A curious and agreeable Wager, which you are sure of winning.
Address some person in the company, and say, Madam, or Sir, have you a watch, a ring, an etwee, or any other trinket? Begin by examining what has been given you, in order to form an idea of its value, since you are to lay your bet considerably under the intrinsic value of the trinket, to avoid being duped.
Suppose what has been offered to you is a watch, you are to propose a guinea as a wager against it; saying to the lady or gentleman, I lay a guinea that you do not say three times, my watch: when it is put on the table, and your wager is accepted, ask the person, presenting him his watch, what is that? he will not fail to answer, it is my watch.
Present him afterwards another object, making him the same question: suppose the object you present to be a pen, a piece of paper, or any other thing. If the person names the object you present, he has lost; if, on the contrary, he is on his guard, and answers, my watch, you must then say, Sir, I see very well I have lost; for if you say once more, my watch, you must certainly win; but if I lose, what will you give me? the person, being always on his guard, will answer again, my watch: then, appealing to his own words, you will take the watch and leave him the stake.