I I - American Memory

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where I had feen my Landlady put feme Linnen, I went
Home, and opening it with an old Nail which I found
in the Chimney, I took out two Shirts of my Land-
lord's and a Prayer-Book, which I pawn'd for 5 j. 6d.
and return'd to my Company, paffing that Evening with
a great deal of Pleafure and Satisfaftion ; and about
twelve that Night I return'd Home with a light Heart,
not dreaming they had miffed the Linnen, my Defign
being to have put it in its Place again at the AVeek's
End ; for I had hired myfelf to a Smifi^ Shop in Feter-
Jireet by Clare-Market, to go to Work the next Morn-
ing.
Being one Night happy in the Company of one I
lov'd, the next Morning I was ftopt, and charged by
my Landlady and her Hulband with robbing my Lodg-
ing ; however I made that up eafily, for I went with
them to the Paivn-brokers, and they paying the Money
for them, took them Home with them, and I left my
Hat and a Flute, and what other Things I had there,
till I Ihould come and repay them. But not knowing
how I (hould get Money to do it, I ruminated on fe-
veral Projefts; but at laft concluded to re-vifit the Cof-
fee-Houfe in Chancery-Lane, where I had been about
two Years before, which I executed that Night, by go-
ing down the Area, and finding the Kitchen Window
open, I enter'd, and took away as many Things as I
pawn'd for near 30 s. and had done more Mifchief, had
I not been difturb'd by a Maid Servant, who came down
and oblJg'd me to make my Exit the fame Way I en-
ter'd, and with more Percipitation. However I got
away without being flop'd, altho' I was feen by her
and another Perfon, who was a Servant in the Neigh-
bourhood. But hov/ever, as foon as People were up I
went and difpofed of the Things, fo paid my Landlady,
and had my Things again.
And now being deftitute of a Lodging, I ufed to
go about like a Wolf feeking for Prey, and my Cloaths
being in Pawn, I look'd juft like (what I now to my
unfpeakable Sorrow am) a Neivgate Bird, having an old
Black Coat on, a foul Shirt, and a fouler Heart.
The