The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

LONDON. Sept. 24. Yesterday e'nnight, about six o'clock in the evening, as Mrs. Champain, a lady of Weybridge, with three little Misses and her two maids, were walking upon the heath, under Lord Lincoln's park pales, they were attacked by a footpad: as he appeared to be a very shabby fellow, she rather imagined him to be a beggar, and told him he was certainly in jest; however, putting her hand in her pocket, says the Lady there is a penny for you, which he took, and then demanded the maids money, which they were very unwilling to part with, and expostulated with him for some time, till the fellow gave a whistle, and called out Jack. This intimidated the Lady and one of her maids, who gave him what silver and halfpence they had: the other maid still refused him her money telling him, with very rough language, she would not be robbed by such an ill looking rascal. The fellow then walked off, and appearing to have no other weapon than a stick, the two maids threw off their capuchins, left their mistress and the children, and pursued him: and tho' the fellow ran with all his speed, the girls came very near him, and were close to his heels when he took a leap and threw himself over the pales in Lord Lincoln's park; or a footpad would certainly have been taken by two servant maids.