Page:Merry frolicks, or, The comical cheats of Swalpo, a notorious pick-pocket.pdf/18

 pany were forced to do as he did, until Roger was ſufficiently tired.

NE of the company looking out at the window, ſaw in another window over the way, a large tankard, but very old faſhioned. Swalpo being called, was aſked if he could ſteal that tankard? he told them that he would go over the way and fetch it, but he muſt not be confined to time, and Roger must go along with him. Roger hearing thus, was overjoyed, fancying that he ſhould gain the reputation of a ſecond Swalpo.

When they went out, Swalpo deſired him to go to ſuch a Poulterer's, and buy a couple of pheaſants the beſt he could find, and return to him to ſuch a tavern. When Roger returned, he found Swalpo with an apron about him, like a drawer. Swalpo takes the pheaſants, and goes to the merchant's houſe where the tankard was: he was certain the merchant was not within, becauſe Swalpo's boy had followed him to the Exchange. He deſires to speak with the merchant's lady, and tells her, that the gentleman (naming her husband) was in a tavern near the exchange, engaged in ſome important buſineſs; and a Goldſmith hap- pening