How he cheated a young Citizen newly set up, and an Upholster.

A young Citizen about to set up, and wanting some money, was directed to me, to procure so much as his present occasion required. I treated him very civilly, promising him very fairly; and in order thereunto, appointed him a day; which being come, contrary to my expectation or desire, he brought a crew with him, to see the receipt of the money. Judging this time inconvenient for my designes, I told him I expected the money this very day; but if he pleased to seal the Bond, and have it witnessed, he might keep it himself; and bringing the Bond with him the next day, he should not fail to have his money. The next day he came to the place appointed, where I was ready to wait him. As good fortune would have it, he came alone. I discours’d with him a while: at last I desired him to let me see the Bond; which he delivered into my hand, being sign’d and seal’d before. I took this as a good and lawful livery, and put it up into my pocket. He asked me what I meant. I told him he should know when the Bond became due. Why Sir, said he, you will not serve me so? Dost thou think I am such a fool, said I, to lend thee so much money upon a piece of paper, which next Showre of rain will wash away with thy self into the common Shore? Shall I trust thee, when thou canst not trust thy self? At this the young man began to be clamorous; but one of my accomplices soon still’d the Clapper of his mouth, by a sound knock on the pate, which laid him asleep: and in the mean time we marcht off. Just as the money came due upon the Bond, my flock-pated Cit was gone to tell his friends in the Country the danger of Counters and Prisons in the Citie. At another time I wanted money to supply my present occasions, but could not instantly think of any other means of assistance in this necessity, but to sell my Featherbed, together with its appurtenances. Whereupon I packt them up, and desired a friend to go with the Porter, and sell them to an Upholster. My friend did so, and brought me half their worth; but withal, that which was more then their worth, the mans name. A week after, I wanted my bed, and resolved to have it again. To that end, I went to him that bought it, and asked him before a couple that I took with me, whether at such a time he had not such commodities sold him. He acknowledged that he had. I desired to see them: and he as readily granted it. Sir, said I, these are my Goods: I was lately robb’d, and now I know you are the Receiver: I must have you before a Justice, to know how you came by them. The naming of a Justice so terrified this silly fellow, that he bid me take them if I would swear they were mine, and put him to no further trouble. I swore they were mine, (and therein I was not perjur’d) but told him I could not receive stollen Goods safely, though they were mine own. In short, I recovered my Bed and furniture, with money to boot.