Page:A Journal of the Plague Year (1722).djvu/78

 in a terrible Manner, they reſolved to ſhift, as well as they could, and to be gone.

One of them had been a Soldier in the late Wars, and before that in the Low Countries, and having been bred to no particular Employment but his Arms, and beſides being wounded, and not able to work very hard, had for ſome Time been employ'd at a Baker's of Sea Bisket in Wapping.

The Brother of this Man was a Seaman too, but ſome how or other, had been hurt of one Leg, that he could not go to Sea, but had work'd for his Living at a Sail Makers in Wapping, or there abouts; and being a good Husband, had laid up ſome Money, and was the richeſt of the Three.

The third Man was a Joiner or Carpenter by Trade, a handy Fellow; and he had no Wealth, but his Box, or Basket of Tools, with the Help of which he could at any Time get his Living, ſuch a Time as this excepted, wherever he went, and he liv'd near Shadwel.

They all liv'd in Stepney Pariſh, which, as I have ſaid, being the laſt that was infected, or at leaſt violently, they ſtay'd there till they evidently ſaw the Plague was abating at the Weſt Part of the Town, and coming towards the Eaft where they livd.

The Story of thoſe three Men, if the Reader will be content to have me give it in their own Perſons, without taking upon me to either vouch the Particulars, or anſwer for any Miſtakes. I ſhall give as diſtinctly as I can, believing the Hiſtory will be a very good Pattern for any poor Man to follow, in caſe the like Publick Deſolation ſhould happen here; and if there may be no ſuch Occaſion, which God of his infinite Mercy grant us, ſhall the Story may have its Uſes ſo many Ways as that it will, I hope, never be ſaid, that the relating has been unprofitable. I ſay