Page:History of Charles Jones, the footman (1).pdf/14

 told me, that as he believed I was an honest and careful young man, and perceiving that I could write and keep an account, he should employ me in marketing. To market, therefore, I went every day, and as I had now a good deal of my master's money always in my hands, I prayed heartily to God that he would be pleased to proservepreserve [sic] mome [sic]: under the temptations to which this exposed me. My first exploit in this way was the purchase of ton shillings worth of fruit at a fruiterer's. When I had finished my bargain, and was coming out of the shop, the fruiterer slipt a shilling into my hand. As I had never, to the best of my rocollectionrecollection [sic], seen him before, I was somewhat surprised at his generosity; but fortunately had the presence of mind to ask him whether he had charged his fruit the higher on account of this present to me. 'Why, young man, said he, this is an honest question, and I will give you an honest answer. The fact is, that as gentlemen of your cloth expect some compliment from the tradesmen that they deal with, we are obliged in our own defence to chargocharge [sic] our articles the higher on that account.' 'And so, said I, the money you givogive [sic] us, comes finally from the pockets of our masters?' 'To be sure it does.' 'Why then, said I, I will take your shilling, but shall charge my master only nine shillings.' And this method I constantly pursued in the likolike [sic] casocase [sic] ever after; for I think the above-mentioned practice of footmen, which, however, I hope is not very common with them, is just the same in conscience as if they should rob their master's bureau.

One Monday morning, having settled my account for the last week with my master, I found that he had made a mistake against himself of twenty