Page:History of the blind beggar of Bethnal-Green.pdf/6

 went over to France, gave him but cold entertainment, inſomuch; that ſcorning to rely upon their charity, he told his wife that he intended, early in the morning, to haſte towards London, and that he would rather truſt to Providence, than the ungratitude of thoſe who in his proſperous days had careſſed him: his wife declared, the would labour at her ſpinning- wheel, or do what ſhe was capable for a living. In two days traveling they ſpent what little money they had ſaved, ſo neceſſity obliged them to aſk charity of the people as they paſſed through the country towns and villages; who, underſtanding that he came by this misfortune in fighting for the honour of his country, gave liberally to him; and conſidering that the loſs of his ſight had rendered him incapable of buſineſs, he reſolved to emabrace what Providence had caſt in his way, which was to live upon charity. Whereupon arriving at Bethnal-green, near London, he hired a ſmall cottage for his wife and himſelf, and daily appearing publicly to crave alms, was from thence call'd, The Beggar of Bethnal-green, and in a ſhort time found it a thriving trade, inſomuch that his