Page:A Journal of the Plague Year (1722).djvu/70

, or be ſtarv'd for want of Food; for he was reſolv'd none of his Family, ſhould go near her; and ſhe lay in the Garret four Story high, where ſhe could not Cry out, or call to any Body for Help.

The Watchman conſented to that, and went and fetch'd a Nurſe as he was appointed, and brought her to them the ſame Evening; during this interval, the Maſter of the Houſe took his Opportunity to break a large Hole thro' his Shop into a Bulk or Stall, where formerly a Cobler had ſat, before or under his Shop-window; but the Tenant as may be ſuppoſed, at ſuch a diſmal Time as that, was dead or remov'd, and ſo he had the Key in his own keeping; having made his Way into this Stall, which he cou'd not have done, if the Man had been at the Door, the Noiſe he was obliged to make, being ſuch as would have alarm'd the Watchman; I ſay, having made his Way into this Stall, he ſat ſtill till the Watchman return'd with the Nurſe, and all the next Day alſo; but the Night following, having contriv'd to ſend the Watchman of another trifling Errand; which as I take it, was to an Apothecary's for a Plaſter for the Maid, which he was to ſtay for the making up, or ſome other ſuch Errand that might ſecure his ſtaying ſome Time; in that Time he conveyed himſelf, and all his Family out of the Houſe, and left the Nurſe and the Watchman to bury the poor Wench; that is, throw her into the Cart, and take care of the Houſe.

I cou'd give a great many ſuch Stories as theſe, diverting enough, which in the long Courſe of that diſmal Year, I met with, that is heard of, and which are very certain to be true, or very near the Truth; that is to ſay, true in the General, for no Man could at ſuch a Time, learn all the Particulars: There was likewiſe Violence uſed with