The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 4Poe, Edgar Allan
General
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 4
Poe, Edgar Allan
American fiction -- 19th century; Fantasy fiction; Horror tales, American; Short stories
Whereupon our diddler copies the facts of this advertisement,
with a change of heading, of general phraseology and address. The
original, for instance, is long, and verbose, is headed “A
Pocket-Book Lost!” and requires the treasure, when found, to be
left at No. 1 Tom Street. The copy is brief, and being headed
with “Lost” only, indicates No. 2 Dick, or No. 3 Harry Street, as
the locality at which the owner may be seen. Moreover, it is
inserted in at least five or six of the daily papers of the day,
while in point of time, it makes its appearance only a few hours
after the original. Should it be read by the loser of the purse,
he would hardly suspect it to have any reference to his own
misfortune. But, of course, the chances are five or six to one,
that the finder will repair to the address given by the diddler,
rather than to that pointed out by the rightful proprietor. The
former pays the reward, pockets the treasure and decamps.
Quite an analogous diddle is this. A lady of ton has dropped,
some where in the street, a diamond ring of very unusual value.
For its recovery, she offers some forty or fifty dollars
reward—giving, in her advertisement, a very minute description of
the gem, and of its settings, and declaring that, on its
restoration at No. so and so, in such and such Avenue, the reward
would be paid instanter, without a single question being asked.
During the lady’s absence from home, a day or two afterwards, a
ring is heard at the door of No. so and so, in such and such
Avenue; a servant appears; the lady of the house is asked for and
is declared to be out, at which astounding information, the
visitor expresses the most poignant regret. His business is of
importance and concerns the lady herself. In fact, he had the
good fortune to find her diamond ring. But perhaps it would be as
well that he should call again. “By no means!” says the servant;
and “By no means!” says the lady’s sister and the lady’s
sister-in-law, who are summoned forthwith. The ring is
clamorously identified, the reward is paid, and the finder nearly
thrust out of doors. The lady returns and expresses some little
dissatisfaction with her sister and sister-in-law, because they
happen to have paid forty or fifty dollars for a fac-simile of
her diamond ring—a fac-simile made out of real pinch-beck and
unquestionable paste.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account