He had an Uncle who kept an Inn in the Town near to the place where this Robbery was done, to whose house he came & was welcom’d; he pretended he was a Soldier, and was newly come from the Garrison at Bristol, and with such kind of imaginary Stories he discours’d his Uncle, and telling him the best news he could, and his Uncle likewise acquainted him with the news of the Town, and as the chiefest told him that there had lately been a great robbery done, for a Carrier was robb’d of six hundred pound, and therefore it being done in the day time, that Town must pay for it, and truely Cousin, said he, our Town hath been so mightily pestred with Soldiers that we are very poor and not able and my share comes to thirty pound of the money: but said our companion, can you not meet with the thieves? no replyed his Uncle; we have offered a hundred pound, to any that can discover them, but hitherto all hath been in vain. This was the Hosts discourse with his Kinsman, who very well knew he was one of the number; and a conceit came into his head, that it was possible that as he had got almost a hundred pounds already by this robbery, so he might get another whole hundred pounds; and therefore being resolved what to do, he thus discovered himself to his Uncle: it is now said he, three years since I left my Father, and ever since that I have led a troublesome life, so that I am almost weary of it; and it is not long since that for a misdemeanor I had done in our Garrison, I was condemned to be hang’d, but I thank my stars I escaped it, and being so near death and escaping, I soon after came acquainted with a cunning man, who telling me my Fortune, told me that I had lately escaped a danger, which I very well knew; and he withal added, that I should run into many other dangers, and should escape them; and that he was certain I was not born to be hang’d: and now therefore Uncle said he, I will once again tempt my fate, and being assured that I shall not be hang’d, I care not, if I may be ensured the hundred pounds you spake of, if I take upon me and own the Robbery; and I think it will be no difficult matter to do, for as I remember one of the Gentlemen Padders who did that feat was habited and mounted just as I am. His Uncle having heard his discourse, stared at him, and asked him if he were mad? no, replyed he, but if you will warrant me the money I’le undertake the matter: his Uncle seeing him thus resolved, began to consider a little more seriously of the matter, and told his kinsman, that if he would do the one, he would not only ensure him of the other, but also endeavour his pardon, and thereupon he sent for some of the Neighbors whom he might trust; and told them that there was a wild young man his kinsman, who would save them five hundred pounds, and told them the manner how, they were well enough satisfied with the proposition, and not only promised him the money which was agreed on, should be presently put into any friends hand, but also that they would undertake his pardon, or at least-wise a reprieve that he might sue out his pardon; this being agreed upon, they next proceeded in their discourse how this affair was to be managed, and after several propositions made, it was concluded, that as he came into the Town, so he should go out, and the next day he should re-enter the Town when the Officers who should be then appointed to search for suspitious persons should seize on him, and he should at the first deny the fact, but upon examination should so vary and waver in his discourse, that he should give just cause of suspition; they having agreed on this, and several other particulars, and the money being deposited in a young maidens hand, who was his Uncles Daughter; he took horse and privately left the Town. The next day the Officers of the Town being charged to keep strict watch, and search all suspitious places; they did so, and as they had been a little way out of the town, and were returning our Adventurer overtook them; who rides here says one, sure that man is cloathed just as the Carrier described one of the Padders were? he hearing them say this, made some stand, and offered to turn his back, they therefore imagining that he might be suspected, asked of him what he was? and came near to encompass him, he still withdrawing drew his pistol and fired at them, they then staring on each other, and seeing that none of their company was kill’d or wounded, were encouraged to make up to him; and although he drew his sword yet they being armed adventured upon him, and seizing on him, pull’d him from his horse back, he then asked them, what was the matter, and what they would have? they told him that he was a high-way man, and that they were very certain of, or else why did he shoot at them, and were glad they had caught him, he should pay for all the trouble he had put the Town to; some railed at him in this manner, whilst others disarmed him and bound his hands together, and then they led him away to the Town, where with great noise they carried him before their Justice of the peace; he strictly examined him and absolutely charged him with the former Robbery, advising him to confess, and inform against his companions, and then he told him he would endeavour to get him a pardon: our adventurer gave him the hearing of all, but denyed all knowledge of the robbery, but so faintly and with such faultering and uncertainties, that the Justice committed him to prison. In few dayes after the Carrier came that wayes, and he was conducted to the Thief, were after a light sight and discourse with him, he and his servant remembred him, and the Owner of the money was sent for who was also carried before the Justice; and there he, the Carrier and his Servant were all bound to prosecute the Felon, which was much in the vexation of the owner of the moneys, who expected the next assizes to have a tryal against the Town, and to recover his money of them, whereas now he saw he was like to lose that, and only have an Endictment against the Felon, when as if he should find him guilty, it would be a little satisfaction for such a sum of money as he had lost. And as he expected, and as the plot was laid, so it fell out; for the Assizes being come, an Endictment was brought in against our Delinquent, and although he buss’ld to defend himself, yet he was found guilty, and then he made an ingenious confession to the Judge of the manner of the Robbery, only concealing as much as he thought convenient, alleadging that indeed he was guilty, but it was his first fact, but he was drawn in by chance being overtaken on the way by the Robbers; he being coming to the Town to visit his Unkle, and therefore he pray’d mercy of the court, the Judge told him that if he would discover his companions somewhat might be done, but not else, he replyed, that truly he was not in their company, above eight and forty hours in all, and therefore knew not of their haunts, but if his honor would spare his life he would if ever he met them, cause them to be apprehended; to this the Judge made no Answer, so that our Adventurers Uncle presented a Petition to the Judge in behalf of his Kins-man, and the other Chief men of the Town pretending for his Unkles sake to do so assisted him in it, and they drew the Petition so pitifully, that the Judge at their importunity granted him reprieve for the present, leaving him to sue out his pardon as fast as he could: and thus all Parties were content except the owner of the moneys, who went away with a Flea in his ear: and our Adventurer so plyed his business, wanting for neither money nor friends, that in short time he gained his pardon, and he was set free: and I will add this further of our companion, that after this he turned honest man, for by virtue of the money he had gained in this robbery, and what was given him, he first set up an Ale-house, and soon after an Inn, and hath born all Offices in the Parish. And this story, said I, Mistress Dorothy, somwhat resembles yours, for your Thieves cheated the Country who paid the Knight what he had lost, and here on the contrary, the Country outwitted the Party rob’d, and saved their purses; and truly I have known several of these transactions, and sometimes the guilty escape, and the innocent are punished. And now, continued I, Mistress Dorothy: you see I am acquainted with these kind of stories and as I have already related one of a Padder, which do somwhat equal yours, I will now also tell you another of a Pick-pocket, which shall be much like yours of that nature, and thus it was.
A Crew of Blades of that Profession came to a Countrey-town on a market day, and finding there was little good to be done without some occasion to draw the People together more than ordinary, they therefore went to an Ale-house to consult on what was necessary to be done, and there after several debates held, it was concluded as follows, that whereas they had lately taken up a boy of about ten years of age, who was very desirous of learning their mystery, and whereas they had instructed him sufficiently in the theory thereof, that it was now time to put him in practice, and therefore the gravest man in the company was to walk out with him, shew him what he was to do and help him if he stood in need thereof, and the rest of the society were to be at hand to do as occasion should offer; this being agreed upon, the old fellow took the Boy by the hand, and leads him through the Market, but there was no probabillity of a prize; and the Boy having promised to do much, the old man sought out for some what that might be worthy his undertaking, and so going out of the market they entred the Church-yard and there they saw an old woman with a great pouch of mony by her side, kneeling by a Tomb-stone and doing her devotions: Our old fellow seeing this, said to the Boy, Sirrah, you see that old woman with the Pouch; yes Sir, replyes the Boy, go thither said he, and bring away her Purse and money; the boy was not at all daunted at the boldness of the undertaking, but went up to the woman, and so soon as he came near her, he likewise fell on his knees, and fell a mumbling as if he were also at his devotions; the old woman seeing him so devout, permitted him to continue[continue] by her, but he putting down one of his hands by virtue of a Knife and Horn-thimble cut off her Purse: The old man stood not far off and saw his carriage which was so cunningly contriv’d that he could not forbear laughing at it, but bethinking him of a further Design, he was resolved to discover the Boy, whereupon stopping some passengers that were going by, he said to them, I pray friends behold yonder Boy how devout he is, do you not think he will be a good one in time that is so religiously given already? yes surely, said the people, Oh the cunningness of the young Rogue! said the old fellow, and how much you are all mistaken for I have stood and seen that young Rogue cut the old womans Purse, and thereupon he went to his young practitioner in Roguery, and took him by the hand causing him to arise, and bringing him to the people, shewed them the Purse he had thus purchased; the old woman was not so intent at her devotions, but she casting her eyes aside likewise saw a Purse in the Boys hand, missing her own soon knew that to be it, wherefore she and all the people came nearer the Boy, who stood still as a stock and said nothing to them, and all the people, not only they that went by, but also at their report most of the people in the market came thither to see this young Rogue, admiring at the boldness of the fact, but they had been better to have staid away and minded their own Affairs; for our old Rogue seeing his opportunity, and that now there was a great many people together, he fell a diving into their pockets, and got good Pillage, and his Companions who were not far off at the noise came in to the sport, and all laid about them so lustily that there were few who escaped without their pockets being pick’d, onely the old woman had her purse again, but in exchange of that our old Rogue and his Companions had twenty others better fraught with moneys; in fine, they being weary with looking on the boy, & the Pick-pockets thinking they had done sufficiently for that time, the old fellow came to the boy, and told him that as he had first of all discovered him, so he should go along with him; the boy who had learned obedience to his Superiors, consented, and so they march’d off, and went a little way out of the Town to an Ale-house, where they divided the plunder of the field, which amounted to above twenty pounds. And thus having told my Tale, I said to Mistress Dorothy that I thought this was somewhat like her discourse of the Pick-pockets. She told me she must needs confess it, and that both my Tales exceeded hers, and therefore she desired me to remitt her promise of proceeding any further in her discourse; for, said she, I shall be able to acquaint you with nothing but what you know already; as for that, said I, I must hear the conclusion of your story, but since you seem to prove of what I have told you, I shall proceed a little further, and relate a Story to you somewhat like my first, and thus it was.
A High-way-man who had used the Trade for a long time, was at length catch’d, and the evidence was so clear against him that he was likely to be cast, and then he was sure to go to pot, for he had been singed on the Fist already, and the Judge who was to try him was very severe on that account; wherefore he was very melancholly, and much perplexed, and all the friends he had could not comfort him; however he was one day drinking with some friends in the Jayl, and telling them the sadness of his condition, and several ways were propounded for his safety; they told him that it would be best to compound the fact with the Prosecutor; I have offered that, said the Felon, and though I did not take above twenty pounds from the party, yet I have offered him fifty pound for composition if he will forbear prosecution; but he will not hear of any thing but the Law, and will make no end but what that shall, and if it comes to that, then I am certain sorrow will be my Sops; how, said one that was present, will he not take fifty pounds for twenty? sure he wants no money, for if he knew the want of it so much as I do, he would not make so slight of fifty pounds; but I pray, continued he, what is the reason he is so outragious against you? what is the cause of his violent proceeding? Truly, reply’d the Thief, it was my misfortune to be one of those two that met with him one night, and he having twenty pounds and a Watch about him we eas’d him of them, my Companion escaped, but I was seized the next night on suspition, and having besides my share of the twenty pounds the watch about me which we had likewise taken from him, it was as he said, a clear Testimony & evidence of the Fact, he earnestly enquired for the ring which my companion had for his share; & because I cannot help him to the ring he is thus obstinate, well then, I see said the other, you have confess’d the fact, & therefore there is no hope of saving you: truly replyed the Padder, I never yet confessed it to any one that I think will do me any prejudice, but much less to him; but instead of confessing I have always stoutly denyed it, alleadging that I bought the Watch that Evening of one in whose company I was; nay then, replyed the other, your case is not so desperate as I thought it, and how say you now, continued he, are you willing to be as good as your word, and give the fifty pounds you speak of to be discharged of this matter? yes with all my heart, said the Padder; well then said the other, if you will deposite the money into another mans hands that I may be sure of it when you are discharged I will undertake you shall be acquited; content, said the other, but I pray acquaint me with the manner how you will manage this affair; our Undertaker replyed, that he had considered of what was to be done, and was resolved so he might be sure of the money, to venture his own neck to save the others, and that he would take upon him the fact, and thereby discharge him. The Padder was content to part with his money, but withal he desired to have some cleer demonstration how he intended to manage the business; to which our undertaker replyed, it must be your care not to be tryed till the last day of the assizes, and then still deny the fact very stoutly, continuing your allegation that you did buy the Watch of a stranger, but one whom you knew if you again should see him, and then I must borrow your Clothes, and the Perriwig you wore when you committed the Fact, and then I purpose at that time not to be far from you; and when I see a convenient time I wil appear, & the manner shal be thus: I will attempt to pick a mans pocket, but I will do it so unworkman like, that if he be not a very Dolt he shall discover me, I being discovered must presently be brought before the Judge for the Fact, and when you see me there you shall cry out as amazed and surprized, that I am the very man of whom you bought the Watch, and you shall then see that although I deny it a little at first, yet I will at last confess my self guilty, and so you shall be discharged: This, said our Undertaker is my proposition, and now if you can contrive it better, do, and I will follow your directions. The Padder and all his friends were hugely well satisfied & pleased with the Undertakers discourse, and could not find any fault in any particular, wherefore their Agreement was quickly perfected, and the fifty pounds were delivered into the custody of one whom they both knew and entrusted, to be kept by him until the Padder should be discharged. Several persons then present asked of the Undertaker how he intended to come off himself? as for that, replyed he, I have it in my head, and I will venture that, and keep it safe enough too I hope: this business being thus agreed on they at present parted, and the Undertaker had the Clothes and Perriwig of the Padder delivered to him; and the Padder did put himself into a habit quite different from that; Thus Affairs stood when the Assizes began, which lasted two days, onely the first day was past, and our Padder had by his endeavours kept himself from being called; the second day was come and forenoon past, when in the after-noon this Cause was to be heard; the Judges servant were some of them gone out of the Town to make provision for their Master at another Town, whither he was that night to follow, so that there was a necessity for his removal; & then about three of the clock this prisoner was brought to the bar, his Indictment was read, which was for robing the Countrey-man, of 20l. in money, and a silver watch, and a gold Ring, to this the prisoner pleaded not guilty and so put himself upon his tryal, according to the ordinary form; then was the Countryman called, who did alledge that the prisoner at the Bar was the party, who with another his companion did rob him as aforesaid; the prisoner denyed the fact, and desired the Judge to ask his accuser what habit he was then in, to this the Countrey-man replyed, that indeed his habit and hair were then different from what he now had, but that was an easie thing to alter, but he was sure he was the man, for he had his very watch in his pocket, to this the prisoner replyed as formerly, that he bought it of a person who indeed was habited as the Country-man had described. He was come to this part of his tryal when a noise was heard in the Court of crying out a pick-pocket, a pick-pocket, and soon after our undertaker was haled into Court; the Judge seeing him, said, Sirrah, how durst you be so bold? I shall talk with you by and by, set him by at present; the prisoner at the Bar seeing it was now a fit time, cryed out, O my Lord! I pray let him stay here now, for indeed my Lord that is the very person of whom I bought the watch, and whose just fate hath brought him hither at this time, that my innocency may be cleared, therefore I beseech you my Lord, let him be examined, and I question not but you will soon find my innocency. The Judge hearing the exclamations of the prisoner, and supposing there might be somewhat in the case, and withal being desirous to execute justice caused the Undertaker to be brought to the bar, and then he thus began: now, you who are the prisoner at the bar, and upon your tryal, what do you say to, or charge this man with; my Lord replyed the padder, I say and alledge that this Person who now stands here by me, is the very person of whom I bought the watch, and I gave him fifty shillings for it, let him deny it if he can, and my Lord I further say, that I suppose he is the person who committed the robbery, for he is habited just as this Country-man described one of them to be: what say you to this: said my Lord to the Country-man, truly my Lord, said he, I am somewhat at a stand, for indeed one of those who robb’d me was habited as this fellow is, pointing to the undertaker, but I finding my Watch in the custody of this other did verily believe and was very confident that it was he that robb’d me, but I must leave all to your Lord-ship and the Jury: Now, you Sir, said my Lord to the undertaker, what say you for your self? did you sell a Watch to this man here? my Lord, replyed he, I have never a Watch, no, I know that now, said my Lord, but did you not sell a Watch to this man? my Lord said the undertaker, I am an honest man, that’s a sign of your honesty, when you pick a pocket in my presence, my Lord it is a mistake, replyed the Fellow; I believe, said my Lord, we shall not be mistaken in you by and by, having thus said the Watch it self was produc’d, and shew’d to the undertaker; and he was asked if he knew it, yes, my Lord, said he, I had such a watch as this; and where had you it? I know not said the undertaker: at this the Padder cryed out, O my Lord, he hath said enough to discharge me and accuse himself, for he ownes he had the Watch, and I am sure I bought it of him, therefore good my Lord do me Justice? acquit me, and punish him; all in due time said my Lord, we must not condemn him before he be lawfully indicted, but I think he hath confess’d enough against himself, and therefore he shall be committed, and since I cannot stay now any longer he shall be indicted the next Assizes, till then he must lye by it and have time to repent: but I pray my Lord, said the Padder, let me be discharged; I cannot discharge you reply’d my Lord, now you are upon your tryal, except the Jury find you not guilty: I put myself upon them, said the Padder, whereupon the Jury only asking the Undertaker some questions which he doubtfully answered, the Jury gave their Verdict, Not guilty, and thus was the Padder discharged, but however he was bound to come in evidence the next Assizes against the undertaker, and so was the Country-man, but he had been better to have taken fifty pounds than thus to have troubled himself about the Ring, for in the end he lost all, and no hanging was in the case; for when the next Assizes came, and our Undertaker was indicted, the Tale was now of another Hogg, he denyed all knowledge of the Watch, and as he had owned any thing before, he now again denyed it, bringing witnesses to prove where he was at that hour, and all the time of the robbery, and saying, he told them it was a mistake the last time, that he was then only surprized; and indeed he spake so well, and to the purpose, that he was acquitted of the robbery, and only whipt a little for picking the pocket, and so he march’d off with fifty pounds; and the Padder who did not appear at the Assizes as witness against him, let the recognizance go against him, leaving the law to find him where they could catch him.
CHAP. XVIII.
Mistress Mary relates a notable story of a Countrey-Gentleman’s cheating a Gold smith; another much more remarkable, of a Gentlemans Boy by assistance of his Master, who put a notable trick on a Goldsmith: afterwards going for France, is notoriously robb’d by way of retaliation, the manner how, with[with] his accompanying a seeming Gallant to a Feast who steals a piece of Plate.
Having now finished my discourse, I desired Mistress Dorothy to proceed in hers, and put an end to her Adventures, to which she replyed, that since I was so well acquainted with these passages, and could recount things so various and wittily-pleasant, which far exceeded anything she could say, she desired to be excused from any further recital; I told her I must needs however, hear what she could further say, for all she had hitherto said was various from what I had related to her; and Mistress Mary likewise joyned with me in this request, telling her that she must needs proceed in her Narrative, for she longed to hear what was the end of the Host, and Hostess, and how she left them and came to London, and what else had hapned to her till the first of their Acquaintance. Truly replyed Mistress Dorothy, I shall give you satisfaction to all these particulars; but methinks you were but short in your Narrative and might have enlarg’d; and since you did as I believe, omit many passages of your Life that were considerable, I pray let us hear some of them from you. I must confess, said Mistress Mary, that in the recital I made you of my actions, I only recounted to you those things which did pertain to my own story, as thinking it impertinent to relate any others; but if I had thought it pleasant, I could likewise have told you of some such Robberies and Cheates, as some of my acquaintance were engag’d in. It is not too late to do it now, said I to her; and seeing Mistress Dorothy is not yet pleased to continue her story, I pray you therefore to let us know some of your experience in this nature. I shall not deny your request, replyed Mistress Mary, and therefore after some little pause to recollect her self of what she had to say; she thus began.
I must confess that I had several of my Customers whilest I liv’d publickly at London, who although they come to me full, return’d empty, and then necessity put them upon unlawful courses, and when they could not live of themselves, then they liv’d by shirking upon others; this was their first step, and when this would not do, and they began to be angry and discontented that they could not wear money in their pockets, they then fell to gameing, and all the Cheats of that Mystery were put in practice; when that course left them, the next was to pick pockets, steal Cloaks, and a hundred such kinde of shirking tricks, till from one degree to another they came to the high pad, and from thence to the Goal, and so to the Gibbet; many I say, of my acquaintance did run through all these Courses, and beginning, as they say, with a pin, proceeded to a point, and so to a biggar thing, till the rope held them; but I alwayes made it my business to leave them off when they began these Courses. Among others that came to me, I had a Country Gentleman who designing to deal honestly with a shop-keeper, had occasion to out-wit him, who intended to cheat the Country-man. The Countrey Gentleman when he came to me had his Pockets well lined with Half-Crown Pieces, but he loving his pleasure I made him pay for it so considerably, that his Pocket was well near emptied: he had twenty Pieces of Gold and several Rings, part of which I design’d to be Mistress of, but he was to wise and wary to part from any such precious Commodities: but an urgent occasion happening, and mony being wanting, he was resolved to sell a Diamond Ring that he had, which was worth fifty pounds, wherefore he keeping a Servant took him along, and to Lombard-street they went, when he came there, pitch’d upon a Goldsmiths Shop where he intended to sell it; he therefore drew off his Ring, and ask’d the Goldsmith what it was worth? The Goldsmith looking on him, and then on the Ring, did hope to make this Ring his own for a small matter; and seeing our Countrey-man in a plain Countrey Habit, did believe that he had little skill in Diamonds, and that this came accidentally to his possession, and that he might purchase it very easily, wherefore he being doubtful what to answer as to Price, told the Countrey-man that the worth of it was uncertain, for he could not directly tell whether it was right, or counterfeit; As for that, said the Countrey-man, I believe it is right, and dare warrant it, and indeed I intend to sell it, and therefore would know what you will give me for it: Truly, replyed the Goldsmith, I believe it may be worth ten pounds; Yes, and more money, said the Countrey-man; Not much more, said the Goldsmith, for look you here, said he, here is a Ring which I will warrant is much better than yours, and I will also warrant it to be a right good diamond, and I will sell it you for twenty pounds: This the Goldsmith said, supposing that the Countrey-man who came to sell, had no skill, inclination, nor money to buy; but the Countrey-man believing that the Goldsmith onely said thus, thinking to draw him on to part from his own Ring the more easily, and by that means cheat him, resolv’d if he could, to be too wise for the Goldsmith; wherefore taking both the Rings into his hands as to compare them together, he thus said: I am sure mine is a right Diamond: and so is mine, reply’d the Goldsmith: and said the Countrey-man, shall I have it for twenty pounds? Yes, reply’d the Goldsmith; but said he, I suppose you come to sell, and not to buy; and since you shall see I will be a good Customer, I will give you fifteen pounds for yours. Nay reply’d the Countrey-man, since I have had my choice to by or sell, I will never refuse a good Penny-worth, as I think this is, therefore Master Goldsmith, I will keep my own and give you money for yours: Where is it? said the Goldsmith hastily, and endeavouring then to seize on his Ring; Hold a blow there, said the Countrey-man, here’s your money, but the Ring I will keep. The Goldsmith seeing himself caught, flustered and flounced like a mad man, and the Countrey-man pulling out a little Purse, told down twenty Pieces of Gold, & said, Here Shop-keeper, here’s your money; but I hope you will allow me eighteen pence a piece in exchange for my Gold. Tell not me of exchange, but give me my Ring, said the Goldsmith: It is mine, said the Countrey-man, for I have bought it and paid for it, and have witness of my Bargain. All this would not serve the Goldsmith’s turn, but he curs’d & swore that the Countrey-man came to cheat him, & his ring he would have; & at the noise several people came about his Shop, but he was so perplexed that he could not tell his Tale, and the Countrey-Gentleman could; at length a Constable came, and although the Goldsmith knew not to what purpose, yet before a Justice he would go: the Countrey-man was content, and therefore together they went; when they came there, the Goldsmith who was the plaintiff, began his Tale, and said, that the Countrey-man had taken a Diamond Ring from him worth one hundred pounds; and would give him but twenty pounds for it, have a care what you say, reply’d the Country-man; for if you charge me with taking a ring from you, I suppose that is stealing; and if you say so, I shall vex you farther than I have done, and then he told the Justice the whole story as I have related, which was then a very plain case, & for proof of the matter, the Countrey-Gentleman’s man was witness. The Goldsmith hearing this, alleadged, that he believed the Countrey Gentleman and his man were both Impostors and Cheats: to this the Countrey-man reply’d as before, that he were best have a care he did not make his case worse, and bring an old house on his head by slandering of him, for it was well known that he was a Gentle-man of three hundred pounds per Annum, and liv’d at a place he nam’d but twenty miles from London; and that he being desirous to sell a ring, came to his shop to that purpose, but he would have cheated him; but it prov’d he only made a rod for his own breech, and what he intended to him, was fallen upon himself: thus did the Country Gentleman make good his discourse, and the Justice seeing there was no injustice done, dismiss’d them; but order’d that his Neighbour the Goldsmith should have the twenty pieces of Gold for twenty pounds, though they were worth more in exchange; and this was all the satisfaction he had. The Country Gentleman went presently to a Citizen, an acquaintance of his, to whom he deliver’d the ring he had so purchased, desiring him to sell it for him which he did; for being known to be a Citizen, the Goldsmith that bought it offered him at the first word Ninety five pounds for it, and in the end gave him forty shillings more, with which money he returned to the Countrey-man, and he giving him the forty shillings for his pains, returned with the rest to me, relating all the matter as it had passed. I was as much pleas’d as he, because I question’d not but I should partake with him, and so I did; for he gave me ten pound to buy me a Gown; and thus was our Goldsmith well enough serv’d. And it was not long after, before another Goldsmith had a considerable loss, and thus it was.
Amongst the other Customers that came to me, there was a Gentleman, a Blade of fortune, who although he was of a good Family, yet being a younger Brother, had but little besides his wits to live upon; but as he was a Gentleman, so kept himself in a Garb according to his Quality, and had a foot boy in a Livery to attend him: this boy was a notable young Rogue, and had assisted his Master in many an exploit, and was privy to most of his secrets: this young man (continued Mistress Mary) coming to visit me, and we falling into discourses of wit, I related to him the adventure of the Countrey-Gentleman with the Goldsmith; he was much pleased with the relation, and told me the Goldsmith was well enough served, and that above all trades, he had a greater picque or anger against them than any; for (said he) it grieves me to the heart to walk through Cheapside or Lombard-street, with little or no moneyes in my pocket, and see so much jingling of money in their Shops, and so great a quantity of Jacobus’es and other Gold, either lying in their Glass-cases, or telling on the Compters, and methinks when I see it my fingers itch to be handling of some of them; but I believe if a Gentleman should starve they would not part from any without very good Security; but (said he) I have now thought upon a way how to get some of them without much hazard; and I being desirous to know, he told me thus: my boy and I will walk along; and Sirrah, said he to the boy, when I make a small stop, do you go into the Goldsmiths Shop where you shall see them telling of money; and laying your hand upon a heap, catch up a handful, but so soon as you have taken it up, let it fall down again and leave it where you had it, and come after me and leave the rest to my management; the boy promis’d to do as he was directed: but, said I, what advantage can you make by your boys handling of money and leaving it behind him? as for that, said he, I question not before I have done I shall make a good business of it, and thereupon he left me, and went immediatly to put this his project in execution; he returned that evening and told me all was well yet, and it would be better in time: I desired to know his meaning, whereupon he told me, that according to his appointment the boy went into the Goldsmiths shop, took up a handful of money, laid it all down again and ran away to him, that he was no sooner come to him, but the Goldsmiths Servants were at his heels, that he looking about and seeing them, ask’d what the matter was? they reply’d, his boy had stollen some money: he answer’d he knew it was false, they said it was true; and he should go back with them to their Master: the boy was content, and so was the Master, when coming to the Shop, the Goldsmith himself said that that Boy, if he were his, had robb’d him. The Boy and his Master both denyed it, and they fell to hot words, so that the Goldsmith call’d me (said the Gentleman) Shirking Fellow, and that he would have me sent to Newgate for robbing him: for if the boy did it, it was by my appointment: I (said the Gentleman) told him that he did abuse me, and that in conclusion must, and should pay for it: but first I desired to know with what Sum they charged the boy; they said they knew not, but that he had taken money from a heap which they were telling of, which heap was a hundred pounds; hearing them say thus, I told them I would stay the telling of it, and then they might judge who had the abuse: they were content with it, and accordingly went to telling: half an hour had dispatched that matter, and then they found that they had all their money right to a farthing. The Goldsmith seeing this, asked my pardon for the affront: for, said he, it is a mistake: I answer’d, that he must pay for his prating, and that I was a Person of that quality that would not put up the affront, and that he must hear further from me; he seeing me so hot, was as chollerick as I, and so we parted, and thus far (said he) I have proceeded. But all this while (said I) I do not see where is your gain: that is to come, said he, and so it was, and did come in, and that considerably too; for the next day he caused the Goldsmith to be arrested in an action of Defamation, and the Sergeant who arrested him being well fee’d by the Gentleman, told the Goldsmith that he were best to compound the matter, for the Gentleman was a Person of Quality, and would not put it up, but make him pay soundly for it, if he proceeded any further. The Goldsmith being desirous of quiet harkned to his counsel, and agreed to give 10l. but that would not be taken; but twenty pounds was given to the Gentleman, and so the business was made up for the present. Our Gentleman who had some of the Goldsmiths money, was resolv’d to have more, or venture hard for it; wherefore having again given instructions to his Boy what to do[what to do], he made several Journeys to the Goldsmiths, walking by his door to watch an opportunity, at length he found one; for he seeing the Servants telling of a considerable quantity of Gold; he gave the sign to his Boy, who presently went in and clapping his hand on the heap, took up and brought away a full handful, and coming to his Master gave it him; neither did the Boy make such haste out of the Shop, but that he could hear a stranger who was in the Shop receiving money, say to the Apprentice, why do you not stop the Boy? no, said the Apprentice, I do not mean it, I know him well enough, my Master paid Sauce lately for stopping him; and so they continued telling their money, which I am sure did not fall out so right as formerly; for that evening the Master and Boy both came to my lodging, and not only told me how they had sped, but I saw the effects of their enterprize; for this young rogue had brought off with him between forty and fifty brave yellow pieces; we all three rejoyced at our good fortune, for I was concerned, having five pieces of it given to me, I then told the Gentleman that he had run a very great hazard, and that I did not think he had practis’d these tricks; no truly, replyed he, this is the first I ever did in England, but I have been abroad in France and other Countreys, where I was acquainted with rare ingenious fellows at these tricks, and they had notable inventions to get moneys; and sometimes I would put in as a Party with them, and from them it was that I learned this confidence: I then desired him to relate to me some of his practises in those Countreys, he soon granted my request, and began as followeth.
I had not been long in Paris but I had some tricks put upon me; the first was this, I endeavoured to appear brave, made a rich Sute and Cloak, and with this strutted about the streets to shew my self, hoping and expecting that some French Madam or other would fall in love with me, but instead of that, some of these Gentlemen Divers fell in love with my Cloak, and were resolved to have it, wherefore they watched me one evening and as it growing late I was going home to my Quarters passing through a blind Lane where was nothing but back doors of Gentlemens stables; three fellows seized on me, one dives into my pockets, whence he fish’d out all the little money I had about me, which amounted to above thirty shillings English, another draws his knife and cuts the Neck-button of my Cloak, and the third takes off my hat; I had not lost all my spirits, so that I told them they did very uncivily by me to take away my hat, and leave me to walk without one; they begun to swear at me and forc’d me to entreat for my hat, and withal considering that the loss of my Cloak would spoil my Suit, I told them that I hoped as they were Gentlemen, so they would hear reason, and offered if they would put any price upon the Cloak I would redeem it; they thinking money would do them more good than the Cloak, told me that if I would give them five pounds, I should have it: the Cloak stood me in ten pounds, and therefore I was resolved to give them five pounds, therefore I desired them to name the place and time when I should meet them with the money; they answered me the next evening about that time, and in a place there adjoyning in the street; but they told me that if I thought by that appointment to bring any with me to catch them, that then they would mischief me; I promis’d them that I would not, and so we departed, but withal they were so civil as to give me my Hat along with me; I went home to my Lodging, and though I was vexed at my misfortune, yet I was forced to rest with patience till the next evening when putting the promis’d money in my pocket, went at the time to the place appointed; I had not staid there long but I heard the noise of a Coach, and on a sudden two men came out at the boot, and seising on me muffled me in one of their Cloaks and put me into the Coach; this done, the Coach-man did drive on apace, and I was in but bad taking to think what a case I was in, and did verily believe that those fellows who had the last night taken my money and Cloak from me, had now a Design upon my life, and therefore were come themselves, or had sent some of their Companions, to rob and kill me, I had not continued long in these thoughts but the coach stopt, and I was taken out of it, and being carried into a Court-yard, was unmuffled, and led into a great Hall, where I was met by those three who had the night before Dis-cloak’d me; they told me I was wel-come, and that what had been done to me that evening was only to prevent their being out-witted and discovered by me, and withal, as I was a stranger, to treat and entertain me amongst them; I hearing that it was no worse Pluck’d up my Spirits and answer’d them, that I was resolv’d to be in every thing as good as my word, and therefore came alone to the place appointed, and had brought my money with me; they then led me through the Hall into an adjoyning Wardrobe which was full of Cloaks, Gowns, Hatts, Swords, and all such kind of Habiliments, and among the rest I saw my Cloak, wherefore I told out the money and took my Cloak, put it on, and went into the Hall amongst them, there I was welcomed by several of the Gang and they had women amongst them, who all looked on me with a cheerful countenance, & treated me very civily. This they all desired of me that if I intended their friendship and my own safety, I must not take any notice of them before any company, or if I met them abroad; I promis’d to perform this Injunction, and so we went to supper, after that to dancing, and spent three or four hours in very pleasant manner, and then several of them departing I thought it was time for me to do so too, but I believed it would be convenient to ask leave before I went; wherefore I told those whom I best knew, that I was amind if they pleas’d, to go home; they told me that I might do so, but it must be in the same manner as I came; I consented to it, and two of them going into the Coach with me, hid my face for a short space, and then let me see; but I quickly perceived that I had gone through several By-lanes and passages, and at length came to the place where I had been taken up, and there they set me down, and the Coachman whirling about left me in a moment; I therefore went the ready way home to my Lodging, where I went to bed and consulted with my self about this Adventure, not having known or heard of the like; but it was not many days before I was engaged in another which was as strange as the former. Although I was in a strange Countrey, yet I had some acquaintance whom I visited sometimes; One day being solitary a walking, I met with one of these of my acquaintance, he saluted me very courteously, and told me he supposed I was minded to break off the friendship we had lately contracted because I had been so great a stranger at his house: I replyed, that I intended suddenly to give him a visit; I pray then, Sir, said he, let it be to morrow, the sooner the better, for I have a great desire to converse with you; and Sir, said he, if you have any friend bring him with you, and for your sake he shall be as welcome as your self; I replyed, it was very likely that I should wait upon him, and thus we parted: I remember since that about the time I met this friend, I was overtaken by a gentile fellow, who had followed me like my shaddow, and during the time of this converse he waited as I did, and now I being parted from my friend, and having walked a little faster than before, I had dropt my Gentleman who sauntred behind. The next day about the time that mortals whet their Knives on Thresholds, and Shooe-soles, I prepared to go to dinner to my friends, and again by the way I was accosted by this gentile fellow, who had the day before followed me, and now he did so again; and when I came to my friends house and entred, there he did so too, and with as much confidence as if he had been of great acquaintance with the Inviter; he sate down among other Guests that were there, Dinner was soon after brought in, and there being several Guests much victuals, and much variety was served at the Table, my strange Gentleman did eat as heartily and talk as boldly as any there, and I thought him to be one of the Inviters acquaintance, and he supposed he was my friend which I had brought with me; but he proved to be very no good friend to the man of the house, for waiting his opportunity he went to the Cupboards head which stood in a convenient place, and clapping a piece of plate worth ten pounds under his Cloak, he walked off incognito. I soon after missed him, and my friend missed my friend as he told me, but it was not much longer e’re the Plate was missing, and although private search was made, yet it was not found, and our friend being gone, the Inviter missing none of the Guests but him, asked me for him, but when I told him he was no friend nor acquaintance of mine, he soon knew which way his Plate went. Thus (said he) he thinking him to be my friend, and I thinking him to be his, this fellow had the conveniency of doing this injury; but, continued he, I soon understood that it was a usual matter to play such pranks and that more considerable, and that withal a very bold confidence, unusual with other Nations, and upon second thoughts I remember I had seen this fellow among those who had my Cloak, but it was too late now to remember it, and it had been unsafe then to have taken any notice of him, remembring the Charge had been given me.