Here I continued for some time: and tho I say't, behav'd my self so well, that I was prefer'd to the best Gentlemen; for tho, my Natural Beauty had been much decay'd, yet I by Art so patch'd it up again, that I by my good Management, pass'd for a Maid at first to all that didn't know me: And besides what my Mistress got, I am sure I had ten Guineas given me by an Esquire for parting with my Maiden-head; which I had parted with many years past; and yet I sold it to new Customers several times after.
During the time that I was in this Station, I met with several odd Adventures; some of which I shall briefly give you an account of.
Having been one day abroad, my Mistress desired me to call at the Carriers, to see if there was any young Country-Lasses come to Town (for our calling is not to be carried on to advantage without now and then having fresh Goods) I went to that purpose to Bosom's Inn; and had that day drest up my self like a Country-Lass that I might with the less difficulty engage 'em. But when I came thither, I found there was none: While I was asking the Carrier when I might expect any, I saw a couple of young Gentlemen standing near me, as if they had some Business with the Carrier when I had done; which occasion'd me to make the more haste: As soon as I had left the Carrier and was come away, before I was got into St. Lawrence Lane, they over-took me, and ask'd me if I was not a Lancashire Maid? I told 'em Yes; being resolv'd to know what their design was. Then they ask'd me what part of Lancashire? I told 'em Preston; for I was acquainted with the Names of the chief Towns there. They then desired me to go and take part of a Glass of Wine with them; which I at first seem'd to scruple, but being more importunately urg'd, I was easily perswaded. And so went to the Feathers-Tavern near Queenstreet Corner in Cheapside; where a Glass of Canary being call'd for, one of 'em drank to me, and I drank to the other. After which one of 'em came pretty close up to me, and would needs have been feeling where I was'nt willing to let him, whereupon I told him he was very uncivil to invite one that was a Stranger to a Tavern; and then to offer any such thing to her. Let her alone says the other, I believe she's but new come out of the Countrey, and does not understand the way of the Town: Pray, Sweet-heart, says he, addressing himself to me, How long have you been in Town? Ever since last Fryday, said I: But pray, why do ye ask? To be plain with ye, says he, This young Man and my self have a Request to you, which if you grant, may be for your Advantage as long as you live: Pray, Sir, said I what's that? Why, says he, we are both Apprentices in one House, at a Linnen drapers in Cornhill? (but 'tis no Matter for that, for you don't know Places yet) and we have a mind to keep a young Woman between us; and we wou'd willingly have a Countrey-Maid, that is'nt much acquainted with the Town; and if you please, you shall be she. I presently smoaked their design, but behav'd my self as ignorantly as I cou'd on purpose, because I found there was something to be got by 'em. So I reply'd, Withal my heart, Sir, if we can agree, for I want a good Service. Well, says the other Spark that wou'd have been so forward with me, We shan't disagree, I dare say. What Wages do you ask? Why Sir, says I, I have liv'd in good Gentlemens Houses in Lancashire; and I think I deserve Four pounds a Year. Well, well, says the other we shall give you Four times Four pounds a year and more: But then you must do what we'd have you. Yes, said I, I shall be willing to do what you'd have me, if you please to tell me what it is: Why said he, your Business will be Easie enough, and pleasant enough: For we intend to take a very good Lodging for you, and provide you with all things necessary; and your Business shall only be to lie with one of us one Night, and the other another. The chief thing we shall desire of you, is only to keep your self entirely to us, and not stir out without our Approbation. And for other things you shall have what you will, and be maintain'd like a Gentlewoman; For we'll maintain you; and the Money you shall have, shall be for your own Occasions, and to find you New Cloths. Well, Sir, says I, for such things we shou'd not differ; but we in the Country think 'tis a Wicked thing to lye with Folks, unless they be Married; and then they mun be married but to one nother: And so that mun not be, Sir. I know not what you do in the Country, says one of the Sparks, but here in London 'tis as common as Washing of Dishes. And People of the best Quality do it. Look ye, continued he, to Encourage you, we will give you Thirty Pounds a Year: And Maintain you besides. We cou'd have enow in Town to serve us, and thank you too; but we look upon you to be an Innocent Country Maid, and for that reason we had rather have you than another: Are you sure you are a Maid, said the other? Sure! said I? Yes, I think I am. Yes, yes, said the other, I believe she is: But I believe, said I, You but taak'n all this while, for no Body mun do such things. No, I'll assure you, says the more serious of the two, We are in Earnest; and we'll pay you down half your Money, fifteen Pounds now, to put your self in a good Garb, fit for a Gentleman's Mistress. But what mun I do for't, said I? Let's agree upon that first. You shall be Mistress to us both, said they: And let one of us lye with you one time, and the other another: And we'll now go along with you, and take a Lodging for you; and you shall go under the Notion of our Sister, and we will be your Brothers; And so no Notice shall be taken of it.—But not to trouble you longer, Madam, with the Particulars, we at last agreed the matter; and I had fifteen Pounds paid me down for half a Years Pay: And my two Sparks cast Lots, to decide the Important Controversie of who should lie with me first: And it happened to him that was the most Civil of the Two; And he was to tarry with me till Ten a Clock at Night, at my New Lodgings, and then to go home, for he cou'd not stay all Night. So to it we went, and I gave him all the Satisfaction he desir'd; counterfeiting the matter so well, that he was mightily pleased with the Enjoyment he had: And went home very well satisify'd; telling me, he wou'd acquaint his fellow-Prentice that was to come the next Night, that he had found me all Love and Charms. And so took his Leave of me.
When my young Gallant was gone, I began to consider that I had all I was like to have of 'em: and that one Fool was enough to be troubled with; and since they had paid me but one half of my Salary, and for that one of 'em had enjoy'd me, & had what he wanted, I tho' we were pretty even. And so getting up Early the next Morning, I left at once my Lodgings and Gallants. And at night when the other came, (as without Doubt he did instead of Meeting with me,) I left him this Note in the Key-hole,
For your small Stipend, I'll ne'er liv in Goal,
Go seek a Trull that can divide her Tayl:
One half I've Pleas'd, I one half am Paid:
Had I got all, I shou'd have longer Staid.
And yet you cann't say I was Ungenteel,
For I let one Kiss and the other Feel.