"I cannot take leave of performing beggars without relating a little incident that I was a witness of in Edinburgh:
A beggar came up to me, asking for alms.
"You have a violin there," I said to him; "but you do not play it. How is that?"
"Oh, sir!" he replied; "give me a penny, and don't make me play. I assure you you won't regret it."
I understood his delicacy, and to show him that I appreciated it launched out my penny.
"But," I added, "do you never use your violin?"
"Yes, sir, sometimes," he said, lowering his voice, "as a threat."
I lost my penny, but saved my ears."
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