person to induce them to relieve me. I avoided all places where I was known, but went to several gentlemen's houses; I told just the heads of my story, concealing my name, and all those circumstances which might fix it on our family, supposing the persons I told it to should have heard anything of my father, or of our running away.
"Amongst the people I went to, I found some gentlemen who had good-nature enough, as I then thought it, to supply me so far as to enable me to get Valentine necessaries. My heart was full of gratitude towards them, and I thought I could never enough acknowledge the obligation; but when I went to them a second time (for they bld me come again when that was gone) they severally entertained me with the beauty of my person, and began to talk to me in a style which gave me to understand they were not silly enough to part with their money for nothing. In short, I found I had nothing further to expect from them, unless I would pay a price I thought too dear for anything they could do for me. Here I was again disappointed, and obliged to seek out new ways of getting bread for us both. By the care I had taken I had got my brother out of his fever; but it had left him so weak, he was not able to stir out of his bed. I could not show my head amongst any of my old acquaintance, and I perceived all the ladies I applied to looked on me with disdain, though I knew not for what reason; and I found amongst the men I had but one way of raising charity. My spirits were now quite worn out, and I was drove to the last despair: I was almost ready to sink under the weight of my afflictions; and I verily believe should have done it, had t not been for the consideration I had for Valentine.
"It came into my head, one morning, as I was revolving in my mind what step I should take next, to disguise myself in such a manner as that no one
