Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fife-shire (4).pdf/10

10 its juſt like its ain father. Lang Sandy Taſon (or Thomſon) we ken by its noſe; for Sandy has a great muckle red noſe like a lobſter's tae, bowed at the point like a hawk's neb, and Sandy himſel ſaid that it was ſurely his or ſome ither body's, but he had uſed a' bis birr at the getting o't to ſey his ability being the firſt time e'er he was at ſic a buſineſs before, and when he had done a' that man could do at it, ſaid it was nonſenſe, and ſhan efa' him, but he wad rather row his boat round the Bass and back again, or he did the like again; for Wiſe Willy gade wood at the wane, and ſaid, it had mair ill nature in't, nor the auldeſt wife about the town, it piſs'd the bed and ſhate the bed, ſkirl'd like a wil-cat, and kept him frae his night's reſt; and a' the auld haggs about the town, ca'd him Sandy de bairn's daddy, and a' the yonng gilly gawkie laſſies held out their fingers, and cried, tie, hie, hie, Sandy, the kirk will kittle your hips for yon yet.

And after a' the bleir ein'd bell-man came bladdering about the buttock-meal, ſummoned him and her before the haly band, a court that held in the kirk on Saturday morning; and a' the bred ladies round about cried, ay, ay, Sandy, pay the bill-filler or I'll cut the cow's tail awa', ſo poor Sandy ſuffered ſadly in the fleſh, beſides the penalty and kirk penance.

But Wiſe Willie had pity upon them, and gade wi' them to the kirk-court, what learned folks calls the ſeſſion, Jenny was firſt called upon, and in ſhe goes, where a' the haly band was conveened, elders and youngers, deacons and dog-payers keeping the door, the cankardeſt carles that could be gotten between Dyſart and Dubyſide, white heads and bald heads fitting wanting bonnets, wi' their white headed ſlaves and hoddin gray jocky coats about them.

Meſs John ſays, come away Janet, we're a' waiting on you here,

Min.) Now Janet, where was this child gotten, you muſt tell plainly. Jan.