d man, and I am much obliged to him.

Monday morning.

Alas-a-day! we have bad news from poor Mr. Williams. He has had a sad
mischance; fallen among rogues in his way home last night: but by good
chance has saved my papers. This is the account he gives of it to Mrs.
Jewkes:

'GOOD MRS. JEWKES,

'I have had a sore misfortune in going from you. When I had got as
near the town as the dam, and was going to cross the wooden bridge, two
fellows got hold of me, and swore bitterly they would kill me, if I did
not give them what I had. They rummaged my pockets, and took from me
my snuff-box, my seal-ring, and half a guinea, and some silver, and
halfpence; also my handkerchief, and two or three letters I had in
my pockets. By good fortune, the letter Mrs. Pamela gave me was in
my bosom, and so that escaped but they bruised my head and face, and
cursing me for having no more money, tipped me into the dam, crying, be
there, parson, till to-morrow! My shins and knees were bruised much
in the fall against one of the stumps; and I had like to have been
suffocated in water and mud. To be sure, I shan't be able to stir out
this day or two: for I am a frightful spectacle! My hat and wig I was
forced to leave behind me, and go home, a mile and a half, without; but
they were found next morning, and brought me, with my snuff-box, which
the rogues must have dropped. My cassock is sadly torn, as is my band.
To be sure, I was much frightened, for a robbery in these parts has not
been known many years. Diligent search is making after the rogues. My
humble respects to good Mrs. Pamela: if she pities my misfortunes, I
shall be the sooner well, and fit to wait on her and you. This did not
hinder me in writing a letter, though with great pain, as I do this, (To
be sure this good man can keep no secret!) and sending it away by a man
and horse, this morning. I am, good Mrs. Jewkes,

'Your most obliged humble servant.'

'God be praised it is no worse! And I find I have got no cold, though
miserably wet from top to toe. My fright, I believe, prevented me from
catching cold: for I was not rightly myself for some hours, and know
not how I got home. I will write a letter of thanks this night, if I am
able, to my kind patron, for his inestimable goodness to me. I wish I
was enabled to say all I hope, with regard to the better part of his
bounty to me, incomparable Mrs. Pamela.'

The wicked brute fell a laughing, wh