How under the pretence of begging, he stole a Cloak, and with that went to a Gaming Ordinary; what a bold Adventure he made there, and the success thereof.

Parting from this good Woman, I began to think that the Art of stealing might be reckoned amongst the liberal Sciences; for though it may be called an Handicraft, yet it cannot be looked on as Mechanick. This is the Art, the right Practice whereof is the true Philosopher’s stone, the Elixer of life; with which many turn Poyson into Medicine, coarse cloath into cloath of Gold, hunger into fulness and satiety, convert rags into Sattins, and all this done by a quick wit, and slight of hand.

The Antiquity and Dignity of this Profession, I shall relate elsewhere, and shall proceed on in my Adventures.

The Evening or Twilight being come, I chanced to look in at a door, and perceiving none at hand, I went in boldly, resolving if I met any to beg an Almes of them, having before premeditated what I had to say, viz., that I was a poor distressed young Gentleman, my Father, Mother, nay, all my Relations I knew, being dead, and that not knowing what to do, was forced (under the Covert of the night) to beseech the assistance of charitable minded persons. But in my way found none that should occasion my using this form.

I found in the Parlor a good Camlet-cloak, which I made bold to put on, and so very gravely walked out of the house; but coming to the door, you must think there was Wild-fire in my breech, that hastned me out of the street. Being gotten a Bow-shot off I thought my self indifferent secure, so that I slackned my pace, but could not (if my Life lay on it) forbear looking this way, that way, sometimes over one shoulder, sometimes over the other: thinking of what dangerous consequence this might prove. I resolved to walk more confidently, and not let my eyes discover any thing of fear, by reason of guilt. This loose garment had so of a sudden Metamorphosed those thoughts I had of my self but a little before, my eye being continually on my Cloak, I could not conceit my self less then the best of the young Templers, that walk the Streets to show themselves: coming into Bell-yard, I observed several Gallants go into an House, and others to come out, which put me to the curiosity of enquiring, what, or whose House it was: Who told me it was a Gaming Ordinary. Nay, then (thought I) it is as free for me to enter as others; and so went in. I looked on a while, but my fingers itched to be at it. Why, thought I, have I not adventured a Gaol, a Whipping, or an Hanging, and shall I now fear a Kicking, a Pumping, or a Bog-house? These considerations made me resolutely take up the Box, and I threw a Main, which was 7: a great deal of money was presently set me, I knew it was but to little purpose to baulk them, so that confidently I threw at all, which I nicked with eleven, and so continued holding seven hands together. Perceiving I had got a considerable quantity of money, and fearing I might loose that which I had so boldly adventured for, I thanked my propitious Stars and the Gentlemen, who had rather lose their money than suspect any that hath the Garb of one well Extracted; and so bade them good night. A priviledge too many Skarking Ubiquitarians use without interruption, being most commonly in use with the Waiters and Box-keepers, who will be sure to speak in the behalf of such confident Cheats; if they lose, pretending great knowledge of them, that they are men of repute, civil and responsible; which frequently so prevails upon a Mouth, that he hath not a word to say more. Questionless Ordinaries were first impartially founded, interdicting all play but which was upon the Square; but since, by the connivance of the Box-keepers, when the Table grows thin, and few at it, let the stranger beware: for the Box-keeper shall walk off, pretending some speedy dispatch of a business concerning the House of Office, &c. whilst your Antagonist shall put the change upon you, or make use of his own Jack-in-a-box, and then had you 500 l. (would you set like a Gamester) he will have it to a penny in a short while: with whom the Waiter goes snips. If at any time such they know want an High flyer, &c. they know how and when to supply him.

Full fraught with this good fortune, and so laden I was ready to sink, I resolved to moor my Vessel in the next Harbour. The Landlord whence I came, was very loath to entertain me, his lodger having served him a scurvy trick the night before, conveying out of the window, the Furniture of a room that cost him 40 l. besides a great silver Tankerd, which the Gentleman would have filled with stale Beer and Sugar, to stand by his bed-side all night, pretending it was his custome. But I desiring him to lay up a parcel of money for me till the next morning, quite put out the eye of his Jealousie. I shewed my self that night very exceeding noble, concealing my success at play, that he might conclude the greatness of my expence proceeded from the nobleness of my nature, having a good estate to back it. I was conducted to bed with many Ceremonies, and abundance of respect. Sleep I could not, for thinking how to dispose of my self.

I had experimented the various exigences and extremities an unsetled condition is accompanied withall; and knowing how securely I could purloin from my Master, if I would moderate my theft, I concluded to supplicate my Master by a Letter for my reception into his service, not forgetting my Mistresses quondam kindnesses. If my Master should refuse to re-entertain me, I had by me what might supply my necessities, till I had re-considered how to improve my stock, or bestow my self. Not to delay time, the next day I wrote him this Letter.

SIR,

Having seriously considered the greatness of my folly in running from so good a Master, (whom I may more rightly intitle Father) with tears I beg mercy from Heaven, and forgiveness from you. Mitigate my offence by revolving in your mind the fewness of my years, which makes me (as it doth most others) prone to rambling fancies: look then favourably on my long absence from you, as a meer exiliency, a youthful elapse, which maturity of age may rectifie. If you can forgive my follies, I will study to forget them, and daily endeavour the propagation of my fidelity in the remainder of my time. By the Bearer hereof you may signifie your pleasure.

With much joy my Master read this Letter, and hastened the Bearer away to bring me to him. Having converted my silver into Gold, sowing it in my Collar and Wastband, and putting my self into a Garb convenient for his sight, I went to him.