Page:Comical tricks of Lothian Tom (6).pdf/13

 he meets one of his shearers, who know and kept fast by him, demanding back his money, and also satisfaction for the rest. Whisht, whisht, sạys Tom and you'll get yours and something else beside. So Tom takes him into the jail, and calls for a bottle of ale and a dram, then takes the jailor aside, as if he had been going to borrow some money from him; and says to the jailor, this man is a great thief, I and other two have been in search of him these three days, and the other two men have the warrant with them; so if you keep this rogue here till I run and bring them you shall have a guinea in reward. Yes, says the jailor, go and I'll secure the rogue for you. So Tom got off, leaving the poor innocent fellow and the jailor struggling together, and then sets out for England directly.

Tom having now left his own native country, went into the county of Northumberland where he hired himself to an old miser of a farmer, where he continued for several years, performing his duty in his service very well, tho' sometimes playing tricks on those about him; but his master had a naughty custom, he would allow