dirty Devil of a Prostitute remained the Prize of him who had the Fortune to overcome his Antagonift; at another Part, two or three Viragoes were demolishing each other's Coifs, and rooting up their Hair, infpired by fome fudden Guft of Jealoufy. 'Twas for fome Time before I caft my Eyes on any body I knew; at laft, who should I difcover, but Prig, as drunk as David's Sow, retailing out Law to an Audience of Market Women and Porters, who were going to fetch a Warrant for fome poor Wretch from the Juftice? He was overjoyed to see me, and, taking Advantage of his ufual good Humour, in his Cups, I borrowed three Pieces of him, and then adjourned, without taking Leave, to the Inn where my Horfe ftood, where I went to Bed, after the most fatiguing, unhappy, and mortifying Day, that I ever paffed in my Life.

Next Morning I took a Tour round the neighbouring Villages, and came Home as just alighted from a Journey; and, tho' my Stay had been so very long, I was received by my young Mafter with the highest Tokens of Friendship and Kindness.

CHAP.

-

CHA P. XIV.

Packer wrongs his Mafter, and is difcharged. -Difcovers Thompson's Practices to Mr. Diaper. Generous Behaviour of young Diaper. He refcues him from Robbers.Bravery of Prig.-He is highly careffed by bis Mafter and Miftrefs.

OON after my Return Home, an Affair hap

pened that gave my Mafter a great deal of Trouble and Concern; Packer, our Journeyman, with whom I had feldom held any Conversation fince I difcovered his ill Ufage of me, and who, on his Part, behaved with great Civility, accompanied with a diftant Referve, had been frequently employed, in my Abfence, in receiving Money of our Town Customers, which used to be constantly my Department. It happened, that the Day after my Arrival I was fent to a Retailer's Shop to receive a small Sum of Money which was become due, to the Amount of twenty-eight Pounds; but they informed me that Mr. Packer had received it a Week before: I had no Sufpicion upon this, but only imagined that he had forgot to fettle the Book, which occafioned me to think it was ftill due. I came Home, and told Packer of his Neglect, which he seemed to be forry for, and went

directly

directly and entered the Sum on the Credit Side of the Account. As we were at Dinner, I informed my Friend what Business I had done, and, amongst the reft, mentioned the Error I had been led into, hoping our Customer would not be disobliged at it. He feemed quite furprifed, and protefted that Packer had never brought the Money on Account. He very feldom dined with us, having the Priviledge to board himself at a Sifter's he had, that kept an House not far from us; and therefore we carried on the Difcourfe fomewhat further, and both agreed in obferving that he had been very melancholy, and, as it were, out of himself for fome Time paft. It directly jumped into my Thoughts, that he was carrying on no good Defign, which I had more Reason to imagine than any one; but, however, I would not strengthen Mr. Diaper's Sufpicions, but propofed to go to all the Cuftomers in Town, and fee if we could gather any further Tokens of Infidelity; which my Friend agreed to and I put in Execution that very Afternoon. Upon the whole Scrutiny, we found he had received in all fixty eight Pounds more than he had accounted for, which made my young Mafter vaftly uneafy, and not a little difturbed me; for, on the one Hand, I loved Mr. Diaper and his Family too well to be unconcerned at such a Discovery; and, on the other, I feared, when Things came to Extremity, Packer might be Villain enough to hint

at

at fome Particulars in my Conduct that would very greatly fink me in their Opinion. My Friend refolved to fet out that Evening, tho' very late, to impart the Matter to his Father, defiring me to behave as usual, and not to seem to know any Thing of what he was going upon, at so unseasonable and unufual an Hour. Guefs the Astonishment of our Mafter! when his Son made known to him the Dishonesty of Packer, he could scarce credit him; and, had he not been armed with the moft convincing Proofs of his Trefpafs, he would almost have thought it a Forgery, such an Ascendency he had gained over him by his Affectation of Religion and Sobriety. When he was thoroughly convinced, he fet out for Town, and arrived at Home at about Eight o'Clock in the Morning, to the Surprise of all the Family, but to the utter Difcompofure of poor Packer, whofe Condition I heartily pitied, notwithstanding the Reason I had to deteft him. At the Distance of an Hour or two after his Arrival, he ordered him to appear before him, and what paffed we could not learn, only he was difmiffed from his Place, but in fo confiderate a Manner, as not to drive him to any defperate Sally of Rafhnefs. I could perceive the Tears trickle from his Eyes; but, as I feared it would look like an Infult upon his Misfortunes, had I taken any Notice of him, I retired till he was gone. My Mafter then called up his Son and me, and ad

dreffed

reffed us thus: I am forry for this poor Wretch; certain unhappy Habits he has contracted have brought him thus to betray my Confidence; but I hope my Lenity, and the Inftructions I have given him, will prevent his total Ruin. What furprised me greatly, Child, applying himself to me, was, that he gave me fome Hints that you had fwerved from thofe excellent Principles you imbibed from your Father, and have even fhewn a Neglect of my Bufinefs: I muft own I am apprehenfive the Share you had in the Detection of his Knavery put him, unhappy Creature, upon this Accufation. Depend upon it, Sir, fays my Friend, that must be the Cafe, for Mr. Thompson is fo conftantly in my Company, that nothing of that Nature could have happened without my Knowledge and Participation. Why, that's the very Reafon for my Difbelief, replies the worthy Gentleman, nor will I give Way to any Surmifes to your Prejudice: Go on, young Man, to deserve my Efteem, and to purfue Maxims of Virtue and Prudence, which will not fail of endearing you to all good Men, and establish a Peace and Harmony of Mind, that no Accident, in future Life, will have the Power to deftroy: He then gave us both fome excellent Leffons of Advice; and, after leaving Orders relative to Bufinefs, returned to his Country-Houfe. When he was gone, I took my generous Friend in my Arms, and was fo over

come