rat's nest, thin lips, and ears large almost as an elephant's. A more
woe-begone wretch in appearance I never beheld, and I continued to look
at him with surprise. He repeated his words with an idiotical
expression, "Just let go my hand, can't you?"

"What business had your hand in my pocket?" replied I, angrily.

"I was feeling for my pocket-handkerchief," replied the young man. "I
always keeps it in my breeches' pocket."

"But not in your neighbour's, I presume?"

"My neighbour's!" replied he, with a vacant stare. "Well, so it is, I
see now--I thought it was my own."

I released his hand; he immediately put it into his own pocket, and drew
out his handkerchief, if the rag deserved the appellation. "There," said
he, "I told you I put it in that pocket--I always do."

"And pray who are you?" said I, as I looked at his dress, which was a
pair of loose white Turkish trousers, and an old spangled jacket.

"Me! why, I'm the fool."

"More knave than fool, I expect," replied I, still much puzzled with his
strange appearance and dress.

"Nay, there you mistake," said the voice of last night. "He is not only
a fool by profession, but one by nature. It is a half-witted creature,
who serves me when I would attract the people. Strange in this world,