“I can’t afford to give fifty dollars,” said Joshua.
“I might take a little less,” said the stranger, “considering that I found it; but it’s well worth fifty dollars, or seventy-five, for that matter.”
“I’ll give you thirty dollars,” said Joshua, after a little pause.
“That’s too little,” said the other. “I’d rather stay here till the next train, and sell it to a jeweler. I feel sure they would pay me sixty, at least.”
If that was the case, it would certainly be a good speculation to buy the watch and sell it again. Joshua began to be anxious to get it.
“I want it for myself,” he said, “but I can’t afford to pay fifty dollars.”
“Will you give forty-five?”
“I’ll give thirty-five.”
“Say forty, and it’s yours; though I ought not to sell it at that. Just put it on, and see how well it looks.”
Joshua put it in his watch-pocket, and was conquered.