Page:Comical transactions of Lothian Tom (1).pdf/4

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then the veſſel was like to be overeſt by the weight of herſelf, ſo ſhe had to flee to the other; and finding the ſame there, from thence to the middle, where, ſhe ſat mewing, always turning herſelf about, combing their noſes with her foot. The old woman, being informed of the dangerous ſituation of her dearly beloved cat, came runing with a long pole to beat off the dogs, and haul her aſhore. What now, ſays Tom, if you be going to take part with my enemies, you ſhall have part of their reward; Then gives the old woman ſuch a puſh, that ſhe tumbled into the dam over head and ears, beſide her beloved cat, and would undoubtedly have periſhed in the water, had not one of the people, who was there looking at the diverſion, come to her relief.

3. After this Tom was ſent to the ſchool, to keep his hand out of an ill turn: And having an old cankered, crab-witted fellow for his dominie, they were always at variance; for if Tom had got his whips, which he often deſerved, he was ſure to be revenged upon his maſter again for it. So Tom perceiving that his maſter had a cloſe-ſtool in a little cloſet within the School, where he went to eaſe himſelf, Tom gets a penny-worth of gun-powder,