_How Owlglass sells an Old Hat for more than its Weight in Gold._
Owlglass having determined to give himself a few days' rest, put up
at an inn where he had noticed that the landlady was a very lively
intelligent woman, for he thought that if an opportunity for a good
piece of mischief occurred, she would be quite ready to second him. He
remarked that amongst the daily visiters there were two particularly
stupid who just on that account thought themselves superior to the
rest, and gave themselves considerable airs.
Owlglass could not resist the temptation to play these a trick; and,
having taken the landlady into his confidence, he invited them to sup
with him. He told them many curious stories and adventures; and after
he had prepared their minds to take in anything, however wonderful,
he took down his hat, which was hanging against the wall, and which
happened to be a very old one, saying, "You will scarcely believe that
this hat is worth fifty times its weight in gold; but the fact is,
it has the extraordinary power of making any one to whom I owe money
believe I have paid them, when I hold it in a particular manner."
Fools as his guests were, this was more than they could believe; but
Owlglass engaged to give them proof of it that very moment, and that
they should see the landlady would say she was paid. He rang the bell,
and when the landlady appeared, he asked her how much he owed her
for the supper, and she said five shillings. Whereupon he continued,
holding his old hat in a peculiar manner, on the tips of his fingers,
"Have I not paid you for the supper?" To which she answered, "Yes;"
adding that she was very much obliged to him.
At this they marvelled; and when he said he was willing to sell it for
fifty pounds, there was a dispute between them which should buy it,
when it was at length agreed they should buy it between them. When
Owlglass received the money he made his accomplice a handsome present
and went on his way, leaving the purchasers to try the virtue of the
hat.
[Illustration: _Owlglass paying the Landlady._]