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 20 The History of Simple John

MISFORTUNE IX.

His Mother-in-law, with several auld witty wives, held a private council on John’s conduct, and bad luck, and con- cluded he was bewitched.John was of the same opinion, and went to the Minister, and told him he was the cause of a’ his misfortunes, ca'd him a war- lock to his face, and said. He had put such a black bargin in his hand, that he was ruined for ever; insisted either to unmarry them again, or send death and the bellman to take her awa’, for she has a lump of mischief on her back and anither on her breast, and the rest o’ her body is a clean deil.” The Min- ister began to exhort him to peace and patience, telling him that marriages were made in heaven: “Ye’re a haist liar, says John, for I was married in your ain kitchen, and a’ the blackguards about the town was there, an it had a been heaven they wadna win in, ye tell’t me that matrimony was sic a happy state, but an ye had gotten as mony