provide for Children.--When she had given an Account of her Life, said the
Constable, I then thought it was time to reprove them. And, addressing my
self to the Wench, said I, Would it not now have been a great Mortification
to you, if instead of following you to your Lodgings, I had deliver'd you
to a Constable, who had made you sit up all Night in the Round-house, and
sent you next Morning to _Bridewell_, to beat Hemp for your Living. The
young Slut nothing daunted by what I had said (says the Constable)
presently pluck'd up her Coats, and told me she'd find me other Business to
do. I seeing that pull'd out my Short Constables Staff, and told her she
didn't know her Danger, and had therefore best forbear her Impudence, or I
should quickly make her sensible that I had Power to punish her. This put
both the Old Woman and her self into a great fright; and altering her Tone,
she prayed me not to molest 'em and they would gratifie me any way
imaginable. And the Old Woman prayed me not to be severer to her then
others of my Office had formerly been: For, said she, this is not the first
time that I have been threatted in this manner, and I never yet found a
Constable, nor indeed scarce a Justice of Peace whom it was not in my Power
some time or other to oblige, either by my Purse, or in the way of my
Trade. For I have such fine Women at my Command, continued she, as are able
to Charm the most insensible Persons. I then told them, says the Constable,
That good Advice was meerly thrown away upon 'em, but I wou'd take another
Course that was more effectual; and so (says he) calling the Watch, they
were both sent that Night to the _Counter_> and the next day to
_Bride-well_; where they are still beating Hemp. And this Course (said the
Constable) I intend to take, as often as I meet with any of them.

When the Constable had made an End, my Husband and I both applauded his
Conduct. And tho' I have once been overcome; yet I resolve never to be
guilty of the like Folly again. Nor is it yet too late for you to repent
_said the Goldsmith's Lady to the Bawd_; tho you have run through so long a