I I - American Memory

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t\e next Day I found I had a TenefT»us on me, which
daily encreafing, I was obliged to return to England ;
my fudden Return very much furprized all my Friends,
who had been advifed of my Intent. I was now per-
fwaded by my Friends to fettle at Bmtino-ford in Hert-
fordjhire, there being a Vacancy by the Death of an old
Praftitioner ; accordingly I went, but did not find that
Profpeft of Bufmefs that was reprefented to me, but
about three Miles diftant, at a little Village called Bra-
fin, I found my Expedations might be anfwered, pro-
vided my Mother-in-law had made good her Promife,
of fupplying me with what Money I wanted, ihe had
order'd me to take a Houfe, which was then to be let
near the Church, that fhe might come and join Family
with me ; accordingly I took the Houfe, and lett the
Land thereunto belonging, and took Earneil: in her
Name; the Leafes were drawn, and I only waited for
the Parties figning, which was to have been in a very
few Days j but in the mean while my Mother's Mind
altered, and (he would neither fign the Leafes, or let me
have any Money, which oblig'd me to leave the Place
in a fcandalous manner.
As this Affair had abfolutely ruin'd my Charafter
there, which I look'd upon as my laft Stake, I was
ftrangely confufed to know what Courfe to take to fup-
port myfelf in this Extremity ; at length I refolv'd on
the unhappy Method I have fince prattifed ; but as I
was entirely a Stranger to fuch Proceedings, I was non-
plufed how to make a Beginning with Safety, but Ne-
ceffity foon over-ruled the trifling Objeaions which a-
rofe ; accordingly having furnilh'd myfelf with a Brace
of Piftols, and hired a Horfe that I could pretty well
depend on, I fet out for Finchley-Common, but having
rode feveral Hours to no Purpofe, began to defpair of
doing any Thing that Time ; therefore I made away for
Endfeld-Chace, to pay a Vifit to Brigadier F /
where I flayed till Evening, in Hopes I ihould not fail
of fomethmg before I reach'd London, and on taking
iny Leave I thought it might not be improper to ride
/