Pagina 318 van 657

Then with a red head of hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my

station in the business part of the city, ostensibly as a

match-seller but really as a beggar. For seven hours I plied my

trade, and when I returned home in the evening I found to my

surprise that I had received no less than 26s. 4d.

"I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until,

some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ

served upon me for £ 25. I was at my wit's end where to get the

money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's grace

from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and

spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ten

days I had the money and had paid the debt.