Page:Comical history of Simple John and his twelve misfortunes (13).pdf/21

21 caught and put twa hours in the stocks, and at last his lump of corruption came and rubbed his lugs, drew his nose, got him out, and drove him home before her, took a resolution never to set him about any business in timecoming, but keep him on his loom.

MISFORTUNE X.

Now she gave him no sleep all that night for scolding. John got up in the morning lang or day, and left his tormentor in bed, fell asleep upon his loom wi' the candle in his hand, and so set the web, heddles, reed, and treadle cords in a fire. By chance his old viper looked out of the bed, or the whole house had been gone. Up she gets, and with her cries alarmed the neighbourhood who came toher relief; but poor John underwent a dreadful swabbing for this.

MISFORTUNE XI.

After the former hurry and beating being over, his work being stopt, he went tobed and slept a' that day, and