Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/68

52 His companion, the other Welchman had indeed been that foreman; and had given the verdict in a peculiar manner—whether with any design upon the gentlemen of this room is too much to say. Some of them called it a do; and a broad faced north countryman, wanted to prove metaphysically that the decision was against justice. But that attempt did not succeed. This was a robbery, and nothing else.

The same friend being at a celebrated betting-house a few nights before this sheet went to press, was witness to the most barefaced robbery of five pounds,—under the semblance of a wager, that ever was committed by foot-pad or highwayman! At the famous trotting-house in Moorfields, one of the company, who was unusually opaque, from the use of grog, was set upon by another, more transparent than himself, to play at draughts; not with himself, for he could not play, but with another man, who came in a little before him. It was to no purpose the groggy man cried off—pleaded his "inability,—that he was too ripe to lay wagers," crying "Peter, I will lay with you to-morrow, when I know more of my man!" Oh, no! this was the only thing that would not do; and the gentleman was bothered into the deposit of his money to play