Page:Ancient and modern history of Buckhaven in Fife-shire.pdf/12

 Jan.—The de'il's in the carles, for you and your ministers are liars, when ye say it de de'il was helping Sandy and me to get de 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 bellman. Jan.—The auld thief speed the dearth o't stir, for less might sair you and your bellman baith. O this but 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, but'ye may thank the de'il for that good four pound and de groat I hae gi'en you, that gars your pots boil brown, and get jockey-coats, purl-handed 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 ye? fient hae't ye gie them but wee pickles o' pease-meal; didna I see't in their pocks! And the minister's wife gi’es naething ava to unco beggars, but bids them gang hame to their ain parish, an' yet ye'll tak siller frae poor fouks, for naething but playing the loon a wee 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 ragged chapman frae the door, and out she comes cursing and groelling. Sandy's next called upon, and in he goes. Min.—Now Saunders, ye maun tell us how this child was gotten?