me that the supply of my most urgent
wants might be found in some inhabitant of this house. I needed at
present a few cents; and what were a few cents to the tenant of a
mansion like this? I had an invincible aversion to the calling of a
beggar, but I regarded with still more antipathy the vocation of a
thief; to this alternative, however, I was now reduced. I must either
steal or beg; unless, indeed, assistance could be procured under the
notion of a loan. Would a stranger refuse to lend the pittance that I
wanted? Surely not, when the urgency of my wants was explained.

I recollected other obstacles. To summon the master of the house from
his bed, perhaps, for the sake of such an application, would be
preposterous. I should be in more danger of provoking his anger than
exciting his benevolence. This request might, surely, with more
propriety be preferred to a passenger. I should, probably, meet several
before I should arrive at Schuylkill.

A servant just then appeared at the door, with bucket and brush. This
obliged me, much sooner than I intended, to decamp. With some reluctance
I rose and proceeded. This house occupied the corner of the street, and
I now turned this corner towards the country. A person, at some distance
before me, was approaching in an opposite direction.

"Why," said I, "may I not make my demand of the first man I meet? This
person exhibits tokens of ability to lend. There is nothing chilling or
austere in his demeanour."

The resolution to address this passenger was almost formed; but the
nearer he advanced my resolves grew less firm. He noticed me not till he
came within a few paces. He seemed busy in reflection; and, had not my
figure caught his eye, or had he merely bestowed a passing glance upon
me, I should not have been sufficiently courageous to have detained him.
The event, however, was widely different.

He looked at me and started. For an instant, as it were, and till he had
time to dart at me a second glance, he checked his pace. This behaviour
decided mine, and he stopped on perceiving tokens of a desire to address
him. I spoke, but my accents and air sufficiently denoted my
embarrassments:--

"I am going to solicit a favour which my situation makes of the highest
importance to me, and which I hope it will be easy for you, sir, to
grant. It is not an alms, but a loan, that I seek; a loan that I will
repay the moment I am able to do it. I am going to the country, but
have not w