Page:History of Moll Flanders (3).pdf/12

 his life; which entirely destroyed all my happiness.

Soon after this, being reduced to very great extremity, I was tempted to steal a small bundle out of an apothecary’s shop, in Leadenhall-street, in which I found a suit of child-bed linen, fine lace, a silver mug and spoons, three shillings, and other matters. The next thing which I did, I inveigled a little child away, from whom I took its gold neck- lace, but though l had it in a private place, I would not kill or hurt it, and put it in the way home again. Another time I took out of a shop, at Stepney, two rings, one a diamond ring, and the other a plain one; and as I was once in Lombard-street, a thief being pursued, dropped a piece of silk, which I made off with, and afterwards disposed of to a good advantage, and not as thieves commonly do, for a song. Another time I stole a silver tankard out of an ale-house, which I afterwards sold to a pawn-broker, who greatly encouraged me in such things. She shortly afterwards helped me to a mistress, who made me more expert in the thieving art; but not more fortunate;