I I - American Memory

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inongfl them, I had tied a Handkerchief about my
Head, tore my Woollen Cap in many Places, as like-
wife my Coat and Stockings, and look'd exactly like
what I defigned to reprefent a Beggar Fellow.
The next Day I took flicker at an Ale-houfe of little
or ro Trade in Rupert-ftreet near Fkcadilly ; the Wo-
man and I difcourfed much about Sheppaiti, I aflbred
her it \^as impoffible for him to efcape out of the
Kingdom, and that the Keepers would have him again
jn a few Da3's j the Woman wifli'd that a Curfe might
fail on thofe who fliould betray him. I continu'd there
till the Evening, when I Jlept towards the Hay-Mar-
ket, and mix'd with a Crowd about two Ballad Singers,
the Subjeft being about Sheppard, and I remember the
Company was very merry about the Matter.
On Tuefday I hir'd a Garret for my Lodging at a
poor Houfe in Ninvport-Market, and fent for a fober
young Woman, who for a long Time part had been the
leal Miftrefs of my Affedions, who came to me, and
rend'red all the Affiflance ihe was capable of affording.
I made her the MefTenger to my Mother, who lodg'd
in Clare-Jiieet ; flie likewife viiited me in a Day or two
after, begging on her bended Knees of me to make the
beft of my Way out of the Kingdom, which I faith-
fully promifed; but I cannot fay it was in my Intentions
heartily fo to do.
I was oftentimes in Spittle-field!, Drury-hne, New
tenor S'lane, Parker"s-lane, St. Thomas-ftreet, Sec. thofe
having been the chief Scenes of my Rambles and Plea-
fures.
I had once form'd a Deiign to have open'd a Shop or
two in Monmouth-ftreet for fome Neceffaries, but let that
drop, and came to "a Refolution of breaking the Houfe
of the two Mr Ranvliitgs^s, Brothers and Paiviibrokeis
in Drury Lane, v/hich accordingly I put into Execution,
and fucceeded, they both hearing me rifling their Goods
as they lay in Bed together in the next Room; and tho'
there were none to affift me, I pretended there was, by
loudly giving out Direftions for ^looting the firft Perfon
thro*