Page:Comical history of Simple John and his twelve misfortunes (3).pdf/23

 and his Twelve Misfortunes. 23

to do you good?” Oh!’said he, “Girzy, I’m a’ brizzled atween the feet.” “ Are ye indeed,” quoth she, “ then I wish ye bad broken your neck, that I might a gotten anither, useless ae way, and useless mae ways; upo’ my word, ye’s no be here, gang whare ye like.”

MISFORTUNE XII.

Now, as poor John was turned out o’ doors next morning, to go awa’ hirp- ling on a staff, one came and told him his mother had died last night. “ Oh, hoch! said John, and is my Mither clean dead! O an she wad but look down through the lift, and see how I’m guid- ed this morning, I’m sure she wad send Teath for me too. I’m cut o’ a mither, and out o’ a wife, out o’ my health and strength, and a’ my warklooms.” His Mother-in-law came and pleaded tor him: '. Haud your tongue, Mither,” said Gitzy, " if ye kend what ail’d him, ye' wad na speak about him, he’s useless. no worth the keeping in a house, by to ca’ him to die like an auld beast