I I - American Memory

[ ^59 1
was coming away in Defpair, not finding any Thing
worth bringing away with me, when happening to look
into a little Cupboard juft by the Chimney, where they
put Small-coal, Candles, is'c. I felt a Bag, and pul-
ling it out, I found therein about 50 /. in Silver, and a
Green Purfe, in which was four Guineas, and four half
Guineas ; I was overjoy'd with my Purchafe, but it did
not laft me above a Week, and then I was forcM to
pawn what Things 1 had bought till all was gone, and
then I began to look out fharp again.
And happening to come crofs Smithfeldon a Market
Day, I faw a Countryman receive fome Money for
Cattle he had fold, which he put into a greafy leathern
Bag ; I was going along, not thinking any Thing,
when I heard an Out-cry of Stop Thief! I turn'd about
to the Noife, and faw a Man running towards where
I was, purfued by feveral People, and juft as he came
by me he drop'd fomething, (which no Body happen'd
to fee but me) which he had no fooner done but he was
ftop'd; I took up what he drop'd, which to my great
Surprize I perceiv'd was the Leather Pouch of Money
I faw in the Countryman's Hand ; I never ftay'd tO
fee what became of the Man, but went to an Ale-houfe
and calling for a Pint of Beer, I aiked for the Necef-
fary-houfe, which being fliewn me, I there examin'd
the Contents, and found therein Forty-two Guineas and
a half, five 23 s. Pieces of Gold, a Moidore, and 5 s.
6 d. in Silver, making in all 5 2 /. I was aftonifh'd at
becoming Mafter of fo much Money, fo taking the
half Guinea and the Silver out from the reft, I put that
loofe in my Pocket, and put all the reft of the Gold in-
to my Green Purfe, and threw the leathern Pouch down
the Vault, fo going in I paid for my Beer, and went
Home very well fetisfied with my Day's Work.
I liv'd in great Splendor whilft this Moaey lafted,
which was not a Month, but when it was gone I was
put to my Shifts again, and going down Chancery-Lane
o»e Morning betwixt three and four o'Clock, I had a
Fancy to get into the Cbafi(erj Coffee-Hgufe, imagining
to
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