Page:Life and exploits of Jack Sheppard.pdf/4

 dissipated life. Our hero became enamoured of her, and they cohabited together as man and wife.

This was the commencement of his ruin, for he now grew weary of the yoke of servitude, and began to dispute with his master. indeed it was not long afterwards that Mr Wood having reason to suspect that Sheppard had robbed a neighbour, thought it was high time to look after himself, and when his men came home at night he barred him out; but Jack made a mere jest of bolts and locks, and when Mr Wood and his wife supposed him to be in the streets, they found him next morning comfortable in bed.

Edgeworth Bess having stolen a ring from a gentleman was sent to St Giles watchhouse. On hearing of this Sheppard imediately went to her, and after a short conversation with the beadle and his wife, he fell upon the poor old, couple, took the keys from them, and let the woman out in spite of the alarm that had been raised.

About July, 1723, he was sent by his