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Article THE COLLECTOR. ← Page 4 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Collector.
ROBERT FERGUSON . THIS man was a dissenting minister in the reign of James II . but possessing a great spirit for political intrigue at that turbulent period , he was always involved in some plot or other against the state , and thereby drew himself into perpetual danger . At one time a warrant was issued against himand to avoid being
, taken he fled to Edinburgh : when perceiving that he was pursued , and that the gates were shut to prevent his escape , instead of secreting himself either in a cellar or a garret , the expedients of grovelling deceit , he repaired to the common gaol , in which he knew an acquaintance of his to be confined : and thus by this superior stratagem of causing that place for his concealment and escapewhich others
, would imagine he ought to have avoided as that of discovery and imprisonment , he remained undiscovered , and escaped . The same Ferguson being on a similar occasion pursued , arrived in some town in which one of the inns was kept by the Mayor . As the fugitive knew that the pursuers mu ^ t apply to that magistrate for a search-warrant , that circumstance determined him on taking that inn for his
quarters . In conseqience of this design he orders a supper , and invites the company of Mr . Mayor and his lady . Whilst they were supping , a message arrives to desire a search-warrant for the apprehending one Ferguson . The magistrate being obliged to retire for this purpose , acquaints his guest \ vi : h the reason of it , and promises to return immediately . Ferguson expressing some concern for the deprivation of his company , adds , that he would converse with his lady till he had
the pleasure of his return . This being done , Mr . Mayor enters into conversation on the affair , and ardently wishes the criminal may be apprehended , without the least suspicion of his speaking to the very man . Ferguson , who knew that too much fervour in condemning frequently betrays the consciousness of guilt , and that an attempt to palliate the crime might create a suspicion , both of which are the errors of little cunning , commended the zeal of the magistrate with that discreet
coolness which generally accompanies'the character of moderation and honesty , and deviated imperceptibly into a conversation on other subjects . The evening being passed Ferguson retired to his bed . P ! e now conceived himself as freed from the danger of being apprehe . kk-d i . i the house ; but he was not equally persuaded of his passing through the town unexamined and securef .
In older to obviate this difficulty he "calls for his breakfast , and again desires the company of his Worship and his lady , which was accordingly complied with . On this occasion he affects a great liking to the magistrate , admires his good sense , and laments his being obliged to leave his house tnat day . However , if his Worship would honour him with his conipaiiy . to the next town , and spend the evening
with him , he should never I ' m get the obligation , and ihen he would tarry till after dinner : to which , at the same time , he invited the same company . This seeming politeness being well received , the request was granted . Dinner being finished , Ferguson , in company with the Mayor , not only passed through that town , but spent the evening in another , unsuspected ; and thereby escaped . .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Collector.
ROBERT FERGUSON . THIS man was a dissenting minister in the reign of James II . but possessing a great spirit for political intrigue at that turbulent period , he was always involved in some plot or other against the state , and thereby drew himself into perpetual danger . At one time a warrant was issued against himand to avoid being
, taken he fled to Edinburgh : when perceiving that he was pursued , and that the gates were shut to prevent his escape , instead of secreting himself either in a cellar or a garret , the expedients of grovelling deceit , he repaired to the common gaol , in which he knew an acquaintance of his to be confined : and thus by this superior stratagem of causing that place for his concealment and escapewhich others
, would imagine he ought to have avoided as that of discovery and imprisonment , he remained undiscovered , and escaped . The same Ferguson being on a similar occasion pursued , arrived in some town in which one of the inns was kept by the Mayor . As the fugitive knew that the pursuers mu ^ t apply to that magistrate for a search-warrant , that circumstance determined him on taking that inn for his
quarters . In conseqience of this design he orders a supper , and invites the company of Mr . Mayor and his lady . Whilst they were supping , a message arrives to desire a search-warrant for the apprehending one Ferguson . The magistrate being obliged to retire for this purpose , acquaints his guest \ vi : h the reason of it , and promises to return immediately . Ferguson expressing some concern for the deprivation of his company , adds , that he would converse with his lady till he had
the pleasure of his return . This being done , Mr . Mayor enters into conversation on the affair , and ardently wishes the criminal may be apprehended , without the least suspicion of his speaking to the very man . Ferguson , who knew that too much fervour in condemning frequently betrays the consciousness of guilt , and that an attempt to palliate the crime might create a suspicion , both of which are the errors of little cunning , commended the zeal of the magistrate with that discreet
coolness which generally accompanies'the character of moderation and honesty , and deviated imperceptibly into a conversation on other subjects . The evening being passed Ferguson retired to his bed . P ! e now conceived himself as freed from the danger of being apprehe . kk-d i . i the house ; but he was not equally persuaded of his passing through the town unexamined and securef .
In older to obviate this difficulty he "calls for his breakfast , and again desires the company of his Worship and his lady , which was accordingly complied with . On this occasion he affects a great liking to the magistrate , admires his good sense , and laments his being obliged to leave his house tnat day . However , if his Worship would honour him with his conipaiiy . to the next town , and spend the evening
with him , he should never I ' m get the obligation , and ihen he would tarry till after dinner : to which , at the same time , he invited the same company . This seeming politeness being well received , the request was granted . Dinner being finished , Ferguson , in company with the Mayor , not only passed through that town , but spent the evening in another , unsuspected ; and thereby escaped . .