of the Famous Moll Flanders. 13
One day as I was walking along the
ſtreet, near Covent-garden, there was
a cry of, Stop thief, a mercer's ſhop
being robbed, and I was ſecured as a
tranſgreſſor; and haughtily inſulted by
the mercer and his ſervants.
In a little time they got the right thief,
who was much in the ſame habit, but
for this affront, I threatened to proſe-
cute him at law, and obliged him to
come to an agreement, where I got an
hundred & fifty pounds, which with my
other ſubſiſtence might have done well
to have maintain'd me; but having got
ſuch an itch for thieving, I could not
leave it off.
I had the opportunity of commen-
cing a coiner, but that being ſuch a
beggarly, and yet ſo dangerous a bu-
ſineſs, that I could never embark in it;
nor could I be brought into the ſociety
of houſe-breakers.
No perſon could be more dexterous
at ſtealing gold watches from ladies
ſides, either at the Park, play-houſe, or
the church. But to particulariſe them
all, would be tedious.
I was very dexterous at gaming,
and, at one time cleared 73 guineas.
