Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fifeshire.pdf/12

12 minister is liars, when ye say it de de'il was helping Sandy and me to get the bairn.

Come, come, say they, pay down the kirk dues, and come back to the stool the morn, four pound, and a groat to the bellman.

Jan.] The auld thief speed the dearth o't stir, for less might sair you and your bellman baith: O but this be a hard warld indeed, when poor honest fouk maun pay for making use o' their ain a—, ye misca' ay de poor de'il ahint his back, and gie him de wyte o'a' de ill it's done in the kintry, bastard bairns and every thing, and if it be sae as ye say, ye may thank de de'il for that gude four pund and de groat I hae gi'en you, that gars your pots boil brown, and get jocky-coats, purl-landed sarks, and white-headed staves, when my father's pot wallops up rough bear and blue water.

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

Jan.] The poor o' the parish, said she, and that's the way o't, a fint hate ye gie them but wee pickless o' pease-meal, didna I see't in their pocks, and the minister's wife gie's naething ava to unco beggars, but, bids them gang hame to their ain parish, an yet ye'll tak de purse frae poor fouks, for naething but playing the lown awee or they be married, and syne cocks them up to be looked on and laught at by every body, a de'il speed you and your justice stir; hute, tute, ye are a' coming on me now, like a wheen colly dogs, hunting awa' a poor ragget chapman frae the door; and out she comes cursing and greeting Sandy's next called upon, and in he goes.

Min.] Now Saunders, you maun tell us how this child was gotten?

San.] A wow, Mess John stir, you hae bairns o' your ain, how did you get them? but yours is a' lad-