_The Drugster sets two Persons, his wives Brothers-in-Law, at variance,
he gets Money out of them both, proceeds in Trading, but adventuring
too much, cannot pay his Debts, and is therefore clapt up in prison._
I drave this rambling Trade for a long time, and gained enough by it,
but I was so prodigal in my expences (both at home and abroad, that I
might be counted somebody) and sometimes loosing considerable sums at
gaming, that I began to go behind hand, and oftentimes, when I pretended
to go to _Gravesend_, the _Downs_, or other places to buy some Drugs, or
other Merchandise aboard a Ship, I went not far from _London_ to a brave
handsome Lass, that I kept for my private recreation. For though I had a
wife, and she indifferent handsome, yet was she cold in her embraces,
and still talking of the cares of the World, and propounding ways to get
Moneys. But my private Lady was quite different, being wholly composed
of Love and sweetness, professing nothing more dear to her, then my
Society: and we had no other discourse but pleasure and enjoyments, in
the greatest height we could imagine; This though it were pleasant, was
very chargeable, to keep such a Commodity for my own private use, so
that I gained not much at the years end; and what I got over the Divels
back, I spent under his belly, as the Proverb goes: Wherefore my wife
called on me to stay at home and apply my self to some settled way; but
that I could not do, for my Stock was grown low and my spending as high
as ever.
My Wife had a Father-in-Law who was a Citizen and a monyed man; him I
got into favor with and by my free entertainment of him, won him to me;
for he having left off trading in _London_, lived some miles off, and
coming to _London_ would often visit me, where I still welcomed him, and
attended him abroad when he went to receive Rents, or any Moneys, and
assisted him in all such things that I could, with much diligence. My
stock being very low, I borrowed Moneys of him to trade with, and was
very punctual in my payment, so that he put so much confidence in me, as
to lend me 100_l._ and more I might have had, had I requested it, as he
and his wife (who was my wives Mother) often visited me at my house, so
at convenient times I was a guest at theirs in the Countrey? where I
associated my self with the best Gentlemen of the place, winning upon
the affections of all; by my facetious and pleasant converse. I had
great hopes of raising my fortunes by my wives Mother, who I hoped would
out-live her husband, and then, at her death be able and willing to give
me good part of her estate, but it fell out otherwise, for she fell sick
and dyed before him, but it was my good luck to be there, and my wife
being still near her, she gave her some Rings and other things that were
considerable.
The old man my Father-in-Law being desirous to bury his wife at _London_
according to her request went up with us, and being somewhat sick
before, so soon as his wife was buried, was so surprized with a
distemper, that he took his bed, and after ten weeks sickness dyed at my
house, during his sickness I bethought my self of what advantage I might
make it, and endeavoured to please him in all I might, but he having two
sons, I could not expect much of the estate, but was resolved by hook or
by crook to have a considerable share, and to that end I knew no better
way then to divide the two Brothers and put them at difference. The
eldest was a married man, and though of an easie temper yet I knew was
too honest to be wrought on to do any unhandsome action, the youngest
being a young bluff fellow, was apt to believe any thing I should
perswade him to, wherefore at first I possest him with a jealousie
against his brother, and that he would defraud him of his share of the
estate, if he did not take heed and follow my directions, which if he
did, I would put him into a way to command his elder brother in every
thing.
The young man being of a suspitious nature, easily believed me; and then
I particularly advised him, that the first thing he ought to do, was to
get the Register of his age altered; for if his father should now dye,
and he not truly being twenty years of age, could not expect to have the
possession of any part of the Estate, unless he were one and twenty.
Wherefore to the house of the Parish Register we went, and for the
spending of one shilling, and five shillings in Money, we had the
Register book delivered to us, where I being well skilled in
counterfeiting and imitating of hands; soon alter’d the Register,
putting his age out in one place, and writing it in another place two
years before; so that the young man was now made half a year above full
age. Then did we call the Register, who gave us a Certificate out of the
book of the young mans age, and this we carried with us as authentick,
and to be produced on all occasions. I having done thus much for the
young Man, he could not deny me anything I desired or requested: so that
the old sick Gentleman being still weaker, and having his Money in a
Trunk by his beds-side, I perswaded the younger Brother (who had the
key) to take some out and lend to me; which he did: and that the old Man
might not see the action; I and my wife would stand by the beds-side
before him, so that by degrees I got 100 _l._ from thence; and when the
old man dyed, though he left a considerable Estate, yet was there not a
penny of ready Money. The elder brother knowing that he had foul-play
shewed him, began to be angry, but to no purpose, for he was forced to
comply, the younger brother having possession of that Trunck, and the
keys of all others where all the Writings were. The old man being buried
(and much excess and prodigality shewed in the expences and costs
thereof, which was done principally at my invitement, that I might gain
repute by inviting as many friends as I pleased, and also drain my two
young men of their moneys) the two brothers began to discourse the
matter, the elder brother demanding possession of the Estate, and a
divident to be made according to the Will of their Father; and, said he,
Brother, your share must either be in my hands, or else in the Chamber
of _London_ till you come of age: How, said I, till he come of age?
Sure, you mistake your self, he is of sufficient age already; and
thereupon produced the Certificate, which though it was very punctual,
yet the elder brother (who was neer ten years older then his brother)
and several others who were present, knew to be false: and this was the
first breach between them, which had like to have grown to a high flame:
for the elder Brother applying himself to the Register, upon search of
the Book, found the fallacy: and indeed the Register acknowledged the
fact; for which he, and the younger Brother, and my self had like to
have kissed _Newgate_, by order of the Lord Mayor, who being acquainted
herewith, was highly incensed against us all, professing before the
whole Court of Aldermen, That this act was of high concernment, and
might be prejudicial to the whole City. The elder brother was very
cautious in prosecuting this affair, being tender of his brothers
credit, and therefore endeavoured by fair means to bring his brother to
a handsome compliance; which he effected in my absence, and so wrought
upon his Brother, that the Trunk of Writings was sent for to a Tavern,
where they were for the present divided, and the Trunk with part of the
Writings delivered to him, with a promise to put a fair end to the rest
of the difference. When I came home, and found the Trunk gone, I stormed
exceedingly; and believing my self disappointed of my purpose, found out
the younger Brother, and schooled him so soundly, that he by my
directions went back to his brothers house, and by a false token
regained the Trunk with the Writings which he had new sent home. Thus
was their difference enlarged, and likely to be worse; but the Elder
brother so moderately complyed with all mine and his brothers demands,
though never so unreasonable, that a division and partition was made,
not onely of the Estate, but some part of the Goods, which being Plate,
and Linnen, and Pewter, were delivered into my custody: and all the
differences between the brothers being ended, I demanded of the elder
brother satisfaction for his fathers being at my house during the time
of his sickness: he little expected this; for his father had given to me
and mine an hundred pound, but that was nothing; I owed him so much, and
I must have more, and so I told him I would have, or mischief him: not
giving any other reason, but that he had enough, and I would have part.
Thus did I hope to huff him out of his money: but he, though he was
easie and good-natured (which I accounted next of kin to a fool) yet
wholly refused me, affirming that I had no reason for my demands, for I
had an hundred pound given me, and that I had not been at any charge,
for his father had continually given my wife money to provide all
necessaries, and that some of that was still in my wives hands.
Though I knew what he alledged was true, yet I still persisted in my
demands, and told him, that so much I would have for the trouble of my
house: he offered to refer it to two men; I long refused it, but at the
length consented, and tampered with his Arbitrator, promising him a
reward, if he would answer my expectations: but he contrary to my
expectations proved honest, and gave me but half what I asked; neither
would he have consented to that, but that the elder brother himself
advised him thereto, out of a desire of Peace. This Award I was much
troubled at, and seeing I could get no more, was contented with what I
could get of him: but the younger brother I fleec’d somewhat more
considerably, getting out of them both, in Legacy, Mony and Goods, to
the value of three or four hundred pounds: with which stock of money,
and a greater of credit, reporting of greater matters that were given
me, I again fell to trafficking, and now dealt more considerably then
ever: for I went to publick Sales, where great quantities of goods were
sold by inch of Candle, and bought thousand pounds worth at a time; and
so considerable was I lookt on, that I was often imployed by others to
buy for them. I bought several parcels and sorts of Goods, which I
fetcht away as I paid for them: at last I bought several parcels of
Goods to a great value, and fetcht away most of them, which I sold to
profit: but one parcel of 500_l._ being a failing and decaying
Commodity, I left in their hands so long, that it was much damaged; and
unwilling, and indeed unable to pay for them, was arrested, and clapt up
into prison; where I was forc’d to lie a great while, till I had spent
and consumed most of what I had; and at length they finding there was
nothing to be got by me, released me, I releasing my bargain: which I
willingly did, but soon after repented it; for the price of that
Commodity rising, it soon amounted to great profit; and whereas I should
have lost, I now might have gained, as they did by the sale of it, neer
200_l._
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