I I - American Memory

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ftrefs to take my Leave of her this being the Day on
which I was to fct out, I paid the Crown, and break-
fafted with her, took my Leave, and fo we parted, they
verily thinking I was gone to the Inn, and fo on my
Journey.
Here the Reader may perhaps afl?, What was my In-
tention in pretending to go when I knew the Letter
was not real ? To tnis I anfwer, Tiiat finding I had
brought myfclf to this Dilemma, I refolved to be in-
cognito till I had met with fome Prize that was confi-
derable, and then returning to fsy, nat my Grandfa-
ther had give it me ; and thus I was deceiving Man-
kind, and at the fame Time endeavouring to deceive ray
felf, which as it was all my doing, I cou'd blame no
body elfe for the Confequence fo fatal to me.
When I was gone an unufual Melancholy feized me,
which I endeavour'd to fliake off by getting into Com-
pany ; and at Night I went to fee the Beggars Opera,
to which was added the Mock Doaor ; but when Capt.
Mackheath came fetter'd upon the Stage, I fell into a
greater Melancholy than before, as if my Mind pre-
fag'd the Misfortune I was to be under, of being what
he only perfonated, i. e. a Condemn'd Man.
I went to an Inn that Night, and calling for a Quar-
tern of Brandy I drank it, and defired them to Ihew
me a Bed, I found myfelf much better next Morning,
by the AiTiftance of Reft, but did not attempt any thing
that Week ; but the next Monday Night, or rather Tuef-
day Morning, I got into the Shop of Mrs. Price, a
Cook, at the upper End of Fhiver-de-Luce-Court, from
whence I took a large Copper Difh, and a Brafs one,
feveral Pewter Difnes and Plates, five Silver Tea Spoons,
a fet of China, and a large Table Cloth, &c. which
yielded me juft a Guinea ; for being well dreffed, I
went to a Siherfmith''s, and fold the Spoons for their
intrinfick Value ; but the other Things I fold to one
who buys all forts of ftolen Goods.
One Day coming by Newgate^ it came into my Head
to call and fee fome of the Prifoners who remained there
ever
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