Page:Pleasant art of money-catching (1).pdf/7

 they will presently tell you, "he's a very good man, I'll assure you:" though at the some time, with respect to his morals, he is as profligate a fellow as any in the whole parish, and one that lives by oppressing his neighbours, and doing all manner of injustice; his noney making amends for all his enormities.

I knew a certain tradesman in London, that had an uncle, a rich covetous fellow, that was worth many a thousand; this poor man addressed bimself to his uncle, to give him a 100l. to set him up; but he knew the worth of money better than to part with it, before death forced it from him, and told him plainly, he would give him nothing while he lived but it might be he would leave him something when he died. especially if he found him industrious, and that he put himself in a way to live. The poor man had but little money, and less eredit, and how to put bimself in a way to live he knew not, his trade being none of the best for journeymen. However, picking up a little ereditcredit [sic] at one place, and a little at another, he addressed himself to the company he was free of, and would fain have borrowed 50l. of them; but truly they would not lend it him, but upon such sceurity as he could not proeureprocure [sic]; in this extremity having put himself into a shop he goes again to his uncle, to desire him to lend nim a little money, telling him he had set up in trade, and was got into a shop, but wanted money to carry on his business, and desired him to lend him a little. His uncle finding he was getting into a way. out of his generosity lends him 20l. but makes him give him a bond to pay him again in a year's time. The poor man had almost as good been without his money, as to have been under such