Page:Life and exploits of Jack Sheppard.pdf/5

 master to perform some repairs at the house of Mr. Braines; a piece-broker in White Horse Yard, from whom the stole a roll of fustian, containing twenty-four yards, which was afterwards found in his trunk.

Having deserted his master's service, he took shelter in the house of Mr Charles, in May Fair, and his landlord having occasion for some repairs in his house, engaged a Mr Ponton, a carpenter, and Jack Sheppard to do the work, but before the job was completed, the latter took an opportunity to rob the people of plate and jewellery to a considerable amount

Sheppard had a brother named Thomas, a carpenter by trade but a notorious thief by practice. This Thomas being committed to Newgate for house-breaking. impeached his brother and Edgeworth Bess as being concerned with him in the fact. Every endeavour was then used to get them apprehended, but to no purpose. till the following accident:- Jack one day met his old acquaintance, James Sykes, who wanted him to go to a public-house, near Seven Dials, to play at skittles. Sheppard complied,