The History of the Remarkable Life of John Sheppard - Containing a Particular Account of His Many Robberies and Escapes by Daniel Defoe
page 25 of 43 (58%)
page 25 of 43 (58%)
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It was thought necessary by the Keepers to remove him from the Condemn'd-Hold to a Place, call'd the _Castle_, in the Body of the Goal, and to Chain him down to two large Iron Staples in the Floor; the Concourse of People of tolerable Fashion to see him was exceeding Great, he was always Chearful and Pleasant to a Degree, as turning almost every thing as was said into a Jest and Banter. Being one _Sunday_ at the Chapel, a Gentleman belonging to the _Lord Mayor_, ask'd a Turnkey, Which was _Sheppard_, the Man pointed to him? Says _Sheppard, yes Sir, I am the_ Sheppard_, and all the Goalers in the Town are my Flock, and I cannot stir into the Country, but they are all at my Heels_ Baughing, _after me, &c._ He told Mr. _Robins_, the _City Smith_, _That he had procur'd him a_ _small Job, and that whoever it was that put the Spikes on the Condemn'd-Hold was an honest Man, for a better peice of Metal,_ says he, _I never wrought upon in my Life._ He was loth to believe his frequent Robberies were an Injury to the Public, for he us'd to say, That _if they were ill in one Respect, they were as good in another, and that though he car'd not for Working much himself, yet he was desirous that others should not stand Idle, more especially those of his own Trade, who were always Repairing of his Breaches._ When serious, and that but seldom, he would Reflect on his past wicked Life. He declar'd to us, that for several Years of his Apprenticeship he had an utter abhorrence to Women of the Town, and us'd to pelt them with Dirt when they have fell in his way; till a _Button-Mould-Maker_ his |
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