ch
another Job as I had met withal before; which wou'd have ruin'd me to all
Intents and Purposes: But by a Friend of mine, that had been a Well-wisher
to the calling, I was advis'd, as much the safer way, to list my self as a
Retainer to a Private _Vaulting School_; where I was told (and indeed found
it so) that there were none admitted but what were Sound and Tight. To
this, altho the Gains to me was less, yet since there was less hazard of
the Pox, I thought it best to hire my self: And this Madam, was such a
House as now I keep my self. Where we don't only take special care, that
none but what are free from all Distempers be admitted; but likewise have
Surgeons and Apothecaries with whom we are in Fee, who, if we but suspect
the least miscarriage, straight give us something that may carry't off.

Here I continued for some time: and tho I say't, behav'd my self so well,
that I was prefer'd to the best Gentlemen; for tho, my Natural Beauty had
been much decay'd, yet I by Art so patch'd it up again, that I by my good
Management, pass'd for a Maid at first to all that didn't know me: And
besides what my Mistress got, I am sure I had ten Guineas given me by an
Esquire for parting with my Maiden-head; which I had parted with many years
past; and yet I sold it to new Customers several times after.

During the time that I was in this Station, I met with several odd
Adventures; some of which I shall briefly give you an account of.

Having been one day abroad, my Mistress desired me to call at the
_Carriers_, to see if there was any young Country-Lasses come to Town (for
our calling is not to be carried on to advantage without now and then
having fresh Goods) I went to that purpose to _Bosom's Inn_; and had that
day drest up my self like a Country-Lass that I might with the less
difficulty engage 'em. But when I came thither, I found there was none:
While I was asking the _Carrier_ when I might expect any, I saw a couple of
young Gentlemen standing near me, as if they had some Business with the
_Carrier_ when I had done; which occasion'd me to make the more haste: As
soon as I had left the _Carrier_ and was come away, before I was got into
_St. Lawrence Lane_, they over-took me, and ask'd me if I was not a
_Lancashire_ Maid? I told 'em Yes; being resolv'd to know what their design
was. Then they ask'd me what part of _Lancashire_? I told 'em _Preston_;
for I was acquainted with the Names of the chief Towns there. They then
d