Page:London spy, or, The frauds of London described (2).pdf/21

(21) MONEY-DROPPERS.

gentry generally ply at the moſt public places in town, and alſo at fairs and country markets, conſiſting of three or more in company. The dropping of money is the lure to inveigle countrymen into company, and is accompliſhed in the following manner: The Dropper, when conveniency ſuits, lays down a guinea, or other piece of money, cloſe to any country-man; then, in a voice of exultation, exclaims, I have found guinea! Upon which a ſecond comes up, and ſays, Where is it? or, I'll not believe it. Here it is, cries the former, and appeals to the country-man for the truth of his picking it up; who anſwering in the affirmative, the ſecond claims a ſhare, as they were in company together; upon which the firſt retorts, If any body has a right to a ſhare, it muſt be this honeſt country-man, who ſaw it on the ground as well as myſelf.—By this time they are arrived at a houſe of reſort, and the Dropper propoſes giving them a treat out of it, if they will walk in; intimating, at the ſame time, that he intends to conſider the country-man as a party concerned,