ity: let me see--let me see--each of
these shirts is worth sixteen shillings at a moderate computation--now,
suppose we pawn them for half-price--eight times eight is sixty-four,
that's three pounds four; that will do--give me your hand." "Softly,
softly, Mr. Jackson," said I; "don't dispose of my linen without my
consent: first pay me the crown you owe me, and then we shall talk of
other matters." He protested that he had not above one shilling in his
pocket, but that he would pay me out of the first of the money raised
from the shirts. This piece of assurance incensed me so much that I
swore I would not part with him until I had received satisfaction for
what I had lent him; and as for the shirts, I would not pawn one of them
to save him from the gallows.

At this expression he laughed aloud, and then complained it was very
hard that I should refuse him a trifle that would infallibly enable him
not only to make his own fortune but mine also. "You talk of pawning my
shirts," said I; "suppose you should sell this hanger, Mr. Jackson. I
believe it would fetch a good round sum." "No, hang it!" said he, "I
can't appear decently without my hanger, lest it should go." However,
seeing me inflexible with regard to my linen, he at length unbuckled
his hanger, and, showing me the three blue balls, desired me to carry
it thither and pawn it for two guineas. This office I would by no means
have performed, had I seen any likelihood of having my money otherwise;
but not willing, out of a piece of false delicacy, to neglect the only
opportunity I should perhaps ever have, I ventured into a pawnbroker's
shop, where I demanded two guineas on the pledge, in the name of Thomas
Williams. "Two guineas!" said the pawnbroker, looking at the hanger;
"this piece of goods has been here several times before for thirty
shillings: however, since I believe the gentleman to whom it belongs
will redeem it, he shall have what he wants; and accordingly he paid me
the money, which I carried to the house where I had left Jackson; and,
calling for change, counted out to him seven and thirty shillings,
reserving the other five for myself." After looking at the money some
time, he said, "Well! it don't signify--this won't do my business;
so you may as well take half-a-guinea, or a whole one, as the five
shillings you have kept." I thanked him kindly, but refused to accept of
any more than was my due, because I had no prospect of repaying it. Upon
which decl