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an obligation; but he was resolved to keep touch with him, though he lived so poorly all the while that he was the scorn of his neighbours and fellow tradesmen, who looked upon him as a poor and consequently a pitiful fellow; but for all that, though with much ado he had the good fortune to pay back his uncle the 20l. within the time limited: which his uncle took so well, that he told him, Since he took such care to keep his word, he would remember him another time. And so he did; for having neither wife nor child, when he died, he divided his estate amongst his relations, and left this poor kinsman of his, thirty thousand pounds in ready money, and 1500l. per annum. And now this pour man, whose poverty made him the scorn of his neighbours and acquaintances before, became a very good man all on a sudden, insomuch that the city took notice of him, and chose him sheriff the very next year; and the company that before refused to lend him 50l. now chose him their master, and were all his humble servants; and he was applauded and cried up by every one. Here was now a mighty change, and yet the man was the same still; it was money only made the difference. Judge therefore whether want of money be not an extraordinary misery and a great unhappiness.
This puts me in mind of a story I have heard related of Jocelin Percy, Esq. brother to the Earl of Northumberland, who going by a butcher's shop near Cow-Cross affronted his dog, who there upon fell a-barking at him, and the Esquire drew his sword and run him through. The butcher, who was troubled for the loss of his dog, charged a constable with the Esquire, who carried him before a Justice that knew him not: the
