, in a very little time, make him perfectly independant;
and thus he delineated the plan: »One half of the sum (said he) shall be laid
out in jewels, which I will pawn to certain persons of credit and fortune, who
lend money upon such pledges at an exorbitant interest. The other shall be kept
for relieving them, so that they may be again deposited with a second set of
those honourable usurers; and when they shall have been circulated in this
manner through a variety of hands, we will extort money from each of the
pawn-brokers, by threatening them with a public prosecution, for exacting
illegal interest; and I know that they will bleed freely, rather than be exposed
to the infamy attending such an accusation.« The scheme was feasible, and though
not very honourable, made such an impression upon the needy borrower, that he
assented to the proposal; and, by our hero's credit, the money was raised. The
jewels were accordingly purchased, pawned, relieved, and re-pledged by the
agent, who undertook to manage the whole affair; and so judiciously was the
project executed, that he could have easily proved each lender guilty of the
charge. Having thus far successfully transacted the business, this faithful
agent visited them severally on his own account, to give them intimation, that
his employer intended to sue them on the statute of usury; upon which, every
one, for himself, bribed the informer to withdraw his evidence, by which alone
he could be convicted; and having received these gratifications, he had thought
proper to retreat into France, with the whole booty, including the original
thousand that put them in motion. In consequence of this decampment, the
borrower had withdrawn himself; so that the lender was obliged to have recourse
to his security.
    This was a very mortifying account to our young gentleman, who in vain
reminded the narrator of his promise, importing, that he would not demand the
money, until he should be called to an account by his ward; and observed, that
long before that period, the fugitive might appear and discharge the debt. But
the other was deaf to these remonstrances; alledging, that his promise was
provisional, on the supposition that the borrower would deal candidly and
fairly; that he had forfeited all title to his friendship and trust, by the
scandalous scheme in which he had embarked; and that his treacherous flight from
his security was no proof of his honesty and intended return; but on the
contrary, a warning, by which he (the lender) was taught to
