Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/85



Are no other than gamblers, who contrive that method to begin play. It is an almost obsolete practice; and its twin-cheat, ring-dropping, is not less disused: Men, now-a-days, manage things more subtly; both kinds of these droppers, too, vary their mode of proceeding to infinity. "What is this?" says the dropper; "my wiggy! if this is not a leather purse with money! Ha! ha! ha! Let's have a look at it." While he unfolds its contents, his companion comes up, and claims his title to a share. "Not you, indeed! replies the finder, this gentleman was next me; was not you. Sir?" To which the countryman assenting, or, perhaps, insisting upon his priority, the finder declares himself no churl in the business, offers to divide it into three parts, and points out a public house at which they may share the contents, and drink over their good luck: talks as they go of his once sharing in a much larger sum, with a "stranger, who was honourable:—nothinglike honour!" The found money is counterfeit, or screens, or else Fleet notes.

They drink, and fill their grog again; and should a little rain come on, they improve on that circumstance, or any other; such as the coming