Page:Autobiography of William Love, P.C..pdf/19

19 pocket thinking it too much to spend all at once, Being so rich, I was quite an important character among my compeers, and some of the elder boys, in the most friendly manner, took me through to the Gallowgreen (where in former times the witches were burnt) to learn me to stand on my head, like Malabar, the great wizard of that day. I made two or three ineffectual attempts to stand on my head with my feet against a coal-housedoor. While so engaged, I observed the bigger boys running off, and on getting to my feet and putting my hand in my pocket I found that my money was gone. Of course no one knew anything about it. On missing it, my grief was great, and I cried bitterly. I was led home by a troop of children, and when my mother opened the door and enquired what was wrang, upwards of a dozen voices shouted out at once "Willie's lost his bawbee." My Mother took me in and enquired where I had got the bawbee. I said that I made it aff the pottyhead-wife. Ye made it aff the pottyhead-wife? What did ye pay for the pottyhead? enquired my mother in one breath. 3½d. said I with the utmost simplicity, for I was unconscious of any wrong. Ye young rascal, said she, I was sure ye hadna brought the richt thing—but I'll let yer father ken yer conduct when he comes hame the nicht—and she kept her word. My father was a very douce, decent, honest, man—noways rash in his movements. He did not, as many no doubt