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particular; which I was not privy to. But one thing, I remember, I afterwards heard of, which was this.

When my father and we were at their house some months before, Mary Pennington, in some discourse between them, had told him how hardly her husband's father, Alderman Pennington, had dealt with him about his hat, which my father, (little then thinking that it would, and so soon too, be his own case) did very much censure the Alderman for; wondering that so wise a man as he was, should take notice of such a trivial thing as the putting off, or keeping on a hat; and he spared not to blame him liberally for it.

This gave her a handle to take hold of him by. And having had an ancient acquaintance with him, and he having always had an high opinion of and respect for her; she, who was a woman of great wisdom, of ready speech, and of a well resolved spirit, did press so close upon him with this home-argument, that he was utterly to seek, and at a loss how to defend himself.

After dinner next day, when they were ready to take coach to return home, she desired my father, that since my company was so little acceptable to him, he would give me leave to go and spend some time with them, where I should be sure to be welcome.

He was very unwilling I should go, and made many objections against it, all which she answered and removed so clearly, that

not finding what excuse further to allege, he, at length left it to me; and I soon turned the scale for going.

We were come to the coach-side before this was concluded on, and I was ready to step in; when one of my sisters privately put my father in mind, that I had never a hat on. That somewhat startled him, for he did not think it fit I should go from home, and that so far, and to stay abroad, without a hat. Wherefore he whispered to her, to fetch me a hat, and he entertained them with some discourse in the mean time. But as soon as he saw the hat coming, he would not stay till it came, lest I should put it on before him; but breaking off his discourse abruptly, took his leave of them, and hastened in before the hat was brought to me.

I had not one penny of money about me, nor any, indeed, elsewhere. For my father, so soon as he saw that I would be a Quaker, took from me both what money I had, and every thing else of value, or that would have: made money, as some plate buttons, rings, &c. pretending that he would keep them for me till I came to myself again, lest I, in the mean time should destroy them.

But as I had no money, so, being among my friends, I had no need of any, nor ever honed after it; though once upon a particular occasion I had like to have wanted it.--The case was thus.

I had been at Reading, and set out from thence on the first-day of the week, in the morning, intending to reach (as in point of time I well might) Isaac Pennington's, where the meeting was to be that day; but when I came to Maidenhead, a thorough fair-town, on the way, I was stopped by the watch for riding on that day.

The watchman, laying hold on the bridle, told me I must go with him to the constable; and accordingly, I making no resistance, suffered him to lead my horse to the constable's door. When we were come there, the constable told me I must go before the warden, who was the chief officer of that town, and bid the watchman bring me on, himself walking before.

Being come to the warden's door, the constable knocked, and desired to speak with Mr. Warden. He thereupon quickly coming to the door, the constable said, sir, I have brought a man here to you, whom the watch took riding through the town. The warden was a budge old man; and I looked some. what big too, having a good gelding under me, and a good riding coat on my back, both which my friend Isaac Pennington had kindly accommodated me with for that journey.

The warden therefore taking me to be, as the saying is, somebody, put off his hat, and made a low congee to me; but when he saw that I sat still, and neither bowed to him, nor moved my hat, he gave a start, and said

to the constable, you said you had brought a man, but he does not behave himself like a

man.

I sat still upon my horse, and said not a word; but keeping my mind retired to the Lord, waiting to see what this would come to.

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The warden then began to examine me, asking me whence I came, and whither I was going? I told him I came from Reading, and was going to Chalfont. He asked me why I did travel on that day? I told him I did not know that it would give any offence barely to ride or walk on that day, so long as I did not carry or drive any carriage, or horses laden with burthens. Why, said he, if your business was urgent, did you not take a pass from the mayor of Reading? Because, replied I, I did not know, nor think I should have needed one. Well, said he, I will not talk with you now, because it is time to go to church, but I will examine you further anon; and turning to the constable, have him, said he, to an inn, and bring him before me after dinner.

The naming of an inn put me in mind, that such public houses were places of expence; and I knew I had no money to defray it; wherefore, I said to the warden, before thou sendest me to an inn, which may occasion some expence, I think it needful to acquaint thee that I have no money.

At that the warden startled again; and turning quick upon me, said, how! no money!

how can that be? You do not look like a man that has no money. However I look, said I, I tell thee the truth, that I have no money; and I tell it to forewarn thee, that thou mayest not bring any charge upon the town. I wonder, said he, what art you have got, that you can travel without money; you can do more, I assure you, than I can.

I making no answer, he went on and said, well, well, but if you have no money, you have a good horse under you; and we can distrain him for the charge. But, said I, the horse is not mine. No! said he, but you have a good coat on your back; and that, I hope is your own: No, said I, but it is not; for I borrowed both the horse and the coat.

With that the warden, holding up his hands, and smiling, said, bless me! I never met with such a man as you are before! What! were you set out by the parish? Then turning to the constable, he said, have him to the Grayhound, and bid the people be civil to him. Accordingly to the Grayhound I was led; my horse set up, and I put into a large room; and some account, I suppose, given of me to the people of the house.

This was new work to me; and what the issue of it would be, I could not foresee; but being left there alone, I sat down, and retired in spirit to the Lord, in whom alone my strength and safety was, and begged support of him; even that he would be pleased to give me

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