Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/203

Rh A fellow overhearing this, who with a great number of others, was standing upon the steps (all being upon the kedge) runs off to Chancery lane with a made-up message, that he was come for the Recorder's watch, which would be found hanging up at head of the bed, and by this token he asked to be believed. What could be more convincing? There the watch hung; and it was delivered accordingly—but never reached the hands of its owner again.

Another plan is, to follow a master or mistress to the butcher's shop, and when they have bought and sent home their meat, to run into the shop with a plate or small basket, for some additional article, stating that the leg of mutton or ribs of beef (as the case may be) which was sent in just now, are not to be dressed to day. This scheme will do for any open shop trade, where the customers can be seen from the outide; and the only precaution against it is, for trades-people so exposed not to deliver their goods to the applicant, but to send them home.

It is not always, however, people can be aware of this imposture. A young woman, with a child in her arms, knocked at the door of, and enquired for, Mr. B. He was not at home, she