an over eager haste, that had he observed me, I might have been betrayed thereby. Overjoyed with this success I fully purposed to be couragious for the future, and banish every base thought, that might lessen or abate a dangerous or desperate resolution. To increase my purchase I walkt into another Street remote from that I committed my first Theft, where I busily imployed my eyes in the search of any advantage, though ne’re so inconsiderable; they quickly found out what my thoughts aimed at, and therefore drew near my intended prey, a Hosiers Shop, the Master whereof was busily imployed in making up of Stockings of all sorts into Papers, marking thereon the Prizes. A Logger-headed Fellow, taller by the Head than my self, had little to do, it seems then to gape and stare on the Gentleman that was at work; he lolling over the Stall, I came and leaned by him, where we both gazed so long, till we had seen him make up several Parcels. I had a great mind to have some Stockins to my Shooes, if I knew how to get them. There was no thoughts of going in after the obsolete way of nimming them, under the pretence of cheapning, for my Habit and Age would have been incongruous, to that design; I had various Projects in my head, and I verily believ’d one would take, (since there was but one man in the Shop) if I knew but which of them would prove most infallibly effectual; for I approved them all as very good. Seeing his work almost at an end, I thought it high time mine should begin; wherefore this Lobcock (who lookt like one who never was nor ever would be good for any thing) I say, I propounded him as the fittest instrument I could use for my designed good. To commence this Knavish stratagem, I pincht him gently by the Ear, which he feeling, grumbling like one suddainly awakt out of his sleep, asked me what’s the matter? Nothing said I, he lolling again after his afore accustomed humour, I twek’t him again, at which he grew angry, and threatned to box me: I regarding his threats no more than the humming of a Gnat, stuck a Pin to the Head in his Breech; at which he caper’d like a dancing Horse; and ney’d so loud, that I could hardly forbear laughing, but he soon made me more serious, by lending me such a cuff on the Ear, I thought he had struck my head off my Shoulders; I endeavoured to defend my self as well as I could, warding his blows, and now and then returning one, creeping as near the Shop door as I could; the Master of the Shop perceiving my Antagonist was like to be too hard for me, left off papering his Stockins, to part two so unequally matcht; that was my pollicie, that I might get him on my side; with much ado, by the help of my Shop-friend, I dis-ingaged my self from him, and seemingly much afraid, I ran violently into the Shop, pretending to fly from my furious adversary; and turning hastily about, I saw the Hosier was much concerned in keeping the Looby from running in upon me; all this while his back was towards me, which favoured my