_Tom made a feast for all the poor Widows in the adjacent towns; and
how he served an old Woman who stole a Silver Cup at the same time,
etc._
Now Tom being married, he made a plentiful feast, to which he invited
all the poor widows in four or five parishes for the sake of his
mother, which he had lately buried, this feast was kept in his own
house, with all manner of varieties that the country could afford for
the space of four days, in honour likewise of the four victories which
he lately obtain’d. Now when the time of feasting was ended, a Silver
Cup was missing, and being ask’d about it, they every one deny’d they
knew any thing of it. At length it was agreed that they should all
stand the search, which they did, and the Cup was found upon a certain
old woman, named the Widow Stumbelow; then was all the rest in a rage,
some was for hanging her, others were for chopping the old woman in
pieces, for her ingratitude to such a generous soul as Sir Thomas
Hickathrift; but he entreated them all to be quiet, saying they should
not murder a poor old Woman, for he would appoint a punishment for her
himself; which was this; he bor’d a hole thro’ her nose and tying a
string therein, then order’d her to be stript stark naked, commanding
the rest of the old women to stick a candle in her fundament, and lead
her by the nose thro’ all the streets and lanes in Cambridge, which
comical sight caused a general laughter. This done, she had her cloaths
restor’d her again, and so was acquitted.
[Illustration]