_He puts a notable Cheat upon a Gentleman concerning his
House._
Walking one time in the Fields with an Attendant or two, who would be
constantly bare before me, if in company with any persons of quality,
but otherwise, _hail fellow well met_; I was got as far as _Hackney_,
ere I thought where I was; for my thoughts were busied about designs,
and my wit was shaping them into a form; casting my eye on the one side
of me, I saw the prettiest built and well scituated House that ever my
eyes beheld. I presently had a covetous desire to be Master thereof: I
was then, as Fortune would have it, in a very gentile Garb; I walkt but
a little way further, and I soon found out a Plot to accomplish my
desires. And thus it was: I returned and knockt at the Gate, and
demanded of the Servant whether his Master was within? I understood he
was, and thereupon desired to speak with him. The Gentleman came out to
me himself, desiring me to walk in. After I had made a general Apology,
I told him my businesse, which was only to request the favour of him,
that I might have the priviledge to bring a Workman to Supervise his
House, and to take the Dimensions thereof, because I was so well pleased
with the Building, that I eagerly desired to have another built exactly
after that pattern. The Gentleman could do no lesse than to grant me so
small a civility. Coming home, I went to a Carpenter, telling him I was
about buying an House in _Hackney_, and that I would have him accompany
me to give me (in private) the estimate. Accordingly we went, and found
the Gentleman at home, who entertained me kindly as a stranger. In the
mean time the Carpenter took an exact account of the Butts and Bounds of
the House on Paper; which was as much as I desired for that time.
Paying the Carpenter well, I dismist him, and by that Paper had a Lease
drawn with a very great fine (mentioned to have been paid) at a small
Rent; Witnesses thereunto I could not want. Shortly after I demanded
Possession. The Gentleman thinking me out of my wits, only laught at me:
I commenced my suit against him; and brought my own Creatures to swear
the sealing and delivering of the Lease, the Carpenters evidence, with
many other probable Circumstances to strengthen my cause; whereupon I
had a Verdict: The Gentleman understanding what I was, thought it safer
to compound with me, and lose something, rather than lose all.