Page:Comical transactions of Lothian Tom (1).pdf/5



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and sprinkled it on the ground, directly before the seat, and lays a little of it along in a train to the fire-side; then observing when his Master went into it, and as he was loosing down his breeches, sets fire to the train, which blew it all about his Master's bare hips, and scorched him terribly, besides the fright, for which Tom was severely whipt; yet, in a little after, he revenged it on his Master.

4. So it happened one day, as Tom went into his Master's house, the wife was stooping into a big meal-barrel, to bring out some meal; Tom takes her by the feet and coups her up into the barel with her head down, and her bare back-side uppermost; then runs into the School, crying. O Master, Master! the De'il's looking out o' your meal stand, wi' a fat face, and a black ill-faur'd mouth: you's just Auld Nick, if he be living-- At this the Master ran with all the speed he could, to see what it was, and found it to be his own wife speechless and almost smothered to death; but as she could not tell who did it, Tom got clear off; yet he was not satisfied without some more vengeance on the old fellow; and knowing his Master had a fashion, when he was going to whip the boys, if they would