Page:History of James Allan.pdf/8

 which he obtained several guineas, the savings of her industry. At length Allan reached Edinburgh, and, being in possession of a considerable sum of money, commenced gentleman, frequented gaming-tables, &c. and at the end of six weeks possessed 160 pounds. He frequently played with an Irish nobleman, who, being a novice in gambling, lost several small sums. One evening the nobleman entered the Billiard Room intoxicated, and offered in mad bravado to play for £200. Allan having only £160, agreed to deposit that sum, and if he lost to pay the remainder in the morning. The game was soon despatched, for the youth who appeared such an indifferent player won the game with ease. The pretended nobleman was no other than an Irish gamester, and one of the first billiard players in the kingdom. Allan, deeply chagrined at his loss, repaired to his lodgings and ordered supper; having collected himself, he packed up his clothes, and among them, by accident, a silver tankard belonging to his landlord, and dropping himself from a back window, made off towards Dumfries. While amusing a party of gentleman there, a stranger, after listening to a few tunes, retired, and in a short time returned with two constables, ordering them to take Allan into custody. Being taken before the town-bailiff, he was charged with stealing a silver tankard from his brother’s house in Edinburgh. Allan denied the charge; but, on his lodgings been searched, the tankard was found amongst his clothes, and he was committed to prison. The gaoler being indisposed, the prisoners were under the direction of the gaoler’s daughter. Allan now perceived his advantageous position, and by artful flattery, satisfied her of his innocence, and of his strong attachment to her; and, after three weeks of pretended courtship, the scheme was agreed to that he was to be set at liberty on the condition of making her his wife at the first town they reached. At length the night of elopement arrived: the clothes and the silver tankard, which had been given to her father, in order to produce it at the trial, were tied up in a bundle, which having been delivered to him, he desired her to remain within the door until he reconnoitered; but when out of her sight he slipped off, and fled with all possible speed: having taken several cross roads, and changed his clothes, he made towards Carlisle. In the course of his journey, he suffered the greatest bodily exhaustion, and was at one