Watxina in a deserted part of the town one night, Samuel Foote was accosted by a stranger who asked the way to Newgate Prison.
"My dear sir," replied the humorist, "you have only to rob the first man you meet and you will fud your way there easily enough."
Without a moment's hesitation the stranger pulled out a pistol and held it to Foote's head.
"My witty fellow," he said, "if you don't hand over instantly your watch and money I will blow out your clever brains."
Foote did so, having to admit that for once the joke was on him.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.