was enough to turn my Stomach: but for the sake of a rusty Shilling
now and then, I was content to humour him. But when once my Mistress came
to know it, I had a Peal rung about my Ears, with the Tongs, and was forc'd
to pack out of Doors. Another time, I met with a young Master, and an old
Dame, and he wou'd always watch for an opportunity to catch me making the
Bed when my old Mistress was abroad at Market, or else sat wrapt in Flannel
by the Kitchen Fire; and with a thousands Langushing Looks and soft
Expressions, he would wish his Wife were as young and as handsome as I: or
that she was dead that he and I might make a match on't. By which means I
was betray'd to part with my Virgin-Treasure, and lick the Butter off my
old Mistresses Bread, with a very good Appetite. At last, the rising of my
Belly discover'd what I would willingly have conceal'd; this caus'd me to
be turn'd out of Doors, and left to provide for my self and a Child. Which,
when I was brought a Bed, I dispos'd to a poor Woman, who got her Living
with it, by begging in the Streets. And then finding I cou'd'nt be free
from Mens solicitations whilst a Servant, I e'en betook my self to the
present Employment, wherein I meet with Men enough, and am at no care, to
provide for Children.--When she had given an Account of her Life, said the
Constable, I then thought it was time to reprove them. And, addressing my
self to the Wench, said I, Would it not now have been a great Mortification
to you, if instead of following you to your Lodgings, I had deliver'd you
to a Constable, who had made you sit up all Night in the Round-house, and
sent you next Morning to _Bridewell_, to beat Hemp for your Living. The
young Slut nothing daunted by what I had said (says the Constable)
presently pluck'd up her Coats, and told me she'd find me other Business to
do. I seeing that pull'd out my Short Constables Staff, and told her she
didn't know her Danger, and had therefore best forbear her Impudence, or I
should quickly make her sensible that I had Power to punish her. This put
both the Old Woman and her self into a great fright; and altering her Tone,
she prayed me not to molest 'em and they would gratifie me any way
imaginable. And the Old Woman prayed me not to be severer to her then
others of my Office had formerly been: For, said she, this is not the first
time that I have been threatted in this manner, and I never yet found a
Constable, nor indeed scarce a Justice of Peace