Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fife-shire (2).pdf/12

(12) Jan. Da de'ils i the carles for you and your miniſter is ars when ye ſay that the de‘il was helping Sandy and me get d bairn.

Come, come ſaid they, pay down the kirk dues, and come back to the ſtool the morn, four pound and a groat to the bell man.

Jan, The auld chief ſpeed the dearth o’t, ſtir, for leſs might fair you and your bell man baith, O but this be a hard warld indeed when poor honeſt folks maun pay for making ure o' their a-, ‘ye miſca ay de poor deil ahint his back, and gie him de wyte o' a de ill that is done in the kintry, baſtard bairns and every thing, and if it be as you ſay you may thank de deil for that guide four pound and a groat I hae gi’en you, that gars onr pots boil brown and get jockey-coats, purl handed ſarks, and white headed ſtaves, when my fathers pot wallops up rough bear and blue water.

The woman’s mad, said they, for this money is all given to the poor of the pariſh.

Jan. The poor o’ the parish ſaid ſhe, and that's the way o't, a ſent hait ye gie them, but we pickles o' peaſe meal, didna I ſeet in their pocks and de miniſters wife gies naething ava to unca beggars, but bids them gang hame to their ain pariſh, and yet ye'll tak de purſe frae poor fouks for naething but playing the ſom a wee or they, be married and ſyne coc a them up to be looked on and laught at by every body, a deil ſpeed you and your juſtice ſtir; hute, tute, ye are a coming on me now like a wheen colly dogs, hunting awa o poor ragget chapman frae the door, and out ſhe comes, curſing and greeting: Sunday's next called upon and in he goes.

Min. Now Sanders, you moan tell us how this child was gotten.