Page:Budget of wit and drollery.pdf/2



A parish-clerk in the North of England, not long ago, hired a Scotchman for his servant, who was to go to the cart and plough, and do other occasional jobs when wanted. In the course of conversation at hiring, the clerk asked him, if he could submit to the unpleasant business of digging graves; to which he exclaimed, "I'll warrant ye, maister, I cou'd dig doon the kirk for that matter: but let me see, I hasn't been put to that wark yet: aye, our auld belman at Jedburgh us'd to say, he never had beter pay, nor better jobs than howking holes for fowk—faith he was aye merry when folk d'eed."—It happened soon after entering on his service, that there was a severe storm of snow, which impeded all out-door work. One morning he came to his master, and asked him what employment he was to go to that day. The employer hesitated for some moments, and at last told him, he could find nothing for him to do. Sawney, with great gravity, replied, "I think, maister, I'll awa up to the kirk-yard an' howk some graves; we may as weel hae a wheen ready, for they may come faster in when they ken we are prepered for them."