e turned about and looked
at me. 'Let 'em alone, Mr. Constable,' said I; 'let 'em go on.' The
case was plain and could not be denied, so the constable was charged
with the right thief, and the mercer told me very civilly he was sorry
for the mistake, and hoped I would not take it ill; that they had so
many things of this nature put upon them every day, that they could not
be blamed for being very sharp in doing themselves justice. 'Not take
it ill, sir!' said I; 'how can I take it well! If you had dismissed me
when your insolent fellow seized on me it the street, and brought me to
you, and when you yourself acknowledged I was not the person, I would
have put it by, and not taken it ill, because of the many ill things I
believe you have put upon you daily; but your treatment of me since has
been insufferable, and especially that of your servant; I must and will
have reparation for that.'

Then he began to parley with me, said he would make me any reasonable
satisfaction, and would fain have had me tell him what it was I
expected. I told him that I should not be my own judge, the law should
decide it for me; and as I was to be carried before a magistrate, I
should let him hear there what I had to say. He told me there was no
occasion to go before the justice now, I was at liberty to go where I
pleased; and so, calling to the constable, told him he might let me go,
for I was discharged. The constable said calmly to him, 'sir, you
asked me just now if I knew whether I was a constable or justice, and
bade me do my duty, and charged me with this gentlewoman as a prisoner.
Now, sir, I find you do not understand what is my duty, for you would
make me a justice indeed; but I must tell you it is not in my power. I
may keep a prisoner when I am charged with him, but 'tis the law and
the magistrate alone that can discharge that prisoner; therefore 'tis a
mistake, sir; I must carry her before a justice now, whether you think
well of it or not.' The mercer was very high with the constable at
first; but the constable happening to be not a hired officer, but a
good, substantial kind of man (I think he was a corn-handler), and a
man of good sense, stood to his business, would not discharge me
without going to a justice of the peace; and I insisted upon it too.
When the mercer saw that, 'Well,' says he to the constable, 'you may
carry her where you please; I have nothing to say to her.' 'But, sir,'
says the constable, 'you will