Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fifeshire.pdf/16

16 of Bucky-hine. Lang Sandy was provost, and John Thrums, the weaver, was dean of guild, but Witty Eppie had ay the casting vote in a' their courts and controversies.

There happened one day a running horse to stand at one of their doors, and a child going about, the horse trampled on the child's foot, which caused the poor child to cry. The mother came running in a passion, crying, A wae be to you for a 'orse it ere ye was born o' a woman, filthy barbarian bruit t'ou is, setting your muckle iron lufe on my bairn's wee fit-

tie, od stir, I'll rive the hair out o' your head, gripping the horse by the mane and the twa lugs, cuffing his chafts as if he had been her fellow-creature, crying, Be-go laddie, I'll gar you as good, I'll tak you before Wise Willy the bailie, and he will cut aff your hand wi' de iron lufe, and dan you will be cripple, and gang through the kintry on a barrow, or on twa shule-staffs like Rab the Randy, an a meal-pock about your neck. Her neighbour wife hearing and seeing what past, cried, A ye fool taupy, what gars you say that a 'orse was born o' a woman, do you think dat a 'orse has a fadder or a mither like you or me, or ony ither body about. A what way do they come to the world dan? A ye fool taupy, divna they