The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 47 pages of information about The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard.

The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 47 pages of information about The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard.

On Tuesday he sent for William Page an Apprentice to a Butcher in Clare-Market, who came to him, and being Pennyless, he desir’d Page to give him what Assistance he could to make his way, and being a Neighbour and Acquaintance, he comply’d with it; but e’re he would do any thing, he consulted a near Relation, who as he said, encourag’d him in it; nay, put him upon it, so meeting with this Success in his Application to his Friend, and probable an Assistance in the Pocket, he came to Sheppard having bought him a new blue Butcher’s Frock, and another for himself, and so both took their Rout to Warnden in Northamptonshire, where they came to a Relation of Page’s, who receiv’d and Entertain’d them kindly, the People lying from their own Bed to Accommodate them. Sheppard pretending to be a Butcher’s Son in Clare-Market, who was going farther in the Country to his Friends, and that Page was so kind as to Accompany him; but they as well as their Friend became tir’d of one another; the Butchers having but one Shilling left, and the People poor, and Consequently unable to Subsist two such Fellows, after a stay of three or four Days, they return’d, and came for London, and reach’d the City on Tuesday the 8th of September, calling by the way at Black-Mary’s-Hole, and Drinking with several of their Acquaintance, and then came into Bishopsgate street, to one Cooley’s a Brandy-shop; where a Cobler being at Work in his Stall, stept out and Swore ther was Sheppard, Sheppard hearing him, departed immediately.  In the Evening they came into Fleet-street, at about Eight of the Clock, and observing Mr. Martins a Watchmaker’s Shop to be open, and a little Boy only to look after it:  Page goes in and asks the Lad whether Mr. Taylor a Watchmaker lodg’d in the House? being answer’d in the Negative, he came away, and Reports the Disposition of the Place:  Sheppard now makes Tryal of his old Master-peice; fixeth a Nail Peircer into the Door post, fastens the Knocker thereto with Packthread, breaks the Glass, and takes out three Silver Watches of 15 l. value, the Boy seeing him take them, but could not get out to pursue him, by reason of his Contrivance.  One of the Watches he Pledg’d for a Guinea and Half.  The same Night they came into Watch-street, Sheppard going into his Master’s Yard, and calling for his Fellow ’Prentice, his Mistress heard, knew his Voice, and was dreadfully frightened; he next went to the Cock and Pye Ale-House in Drury-Lane, sent for a Barber his Acquaintance, drank Brandy and eat Oysters in the view of several people. Page waiting all the while at the Door, the whole Neighbourhood being alarm’d, yet none durst attempt him, for fear of Pistols, _&c._ He had vow’d Revenge upon a poor Man as kept a Dairy-Cellar, at the End of White-Horse-Yard, who having seen him at Islington after his Escape, and engag’d not to speak of it, broke his Promise; wherefore Sheppard went to his Residence took the Door off the Hinges and threw it down amongst all the Man’s Pans, Pipkins, and caus’d a Deluge of Cream and Milk all over the Cellar.

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The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.