Page:Comical tricks of Lothian Tom (3).pdf/12

 12            for his trouble, and had to take back his coffin with him again. Tom being short of money, began to            think how he could raise a fresh supply; so he went to the Port amongst the shear. ers, and there he hired about thirty of            them, and agreed to give them a whole week's shearing at ten-pence a day, which was twopence higher than any had got that year, this made the poor shearers think he was a very honest, generous and genteel master; as ever they meet with; for he took them all into an ale house, and gave them a hearty breakfast. Now, says Tom, when there is so many of you together, and perhaps from very different parts, and being unacquainted with one another, I do not know but there may be            some of you honest men, and some of you rogues, and as you are all to lie in one barn together, any of you who has some money, you'll be surest to give it to me            and I'll mark it down in my book, with your names, and what I receive from each of you, and you shall have it all again on Saturday night when you receive your wages. O! very well goodman, there's            mine, take mine, said every one faster than another. Some gave him five, six, seven and eight shillings, even all that they had earn'd thro' the harvest, which amounted