Page:Exploits of Wise Willie and Witty Eppie, the ale-wife, of Buckhaven (1).pdf/16

 ( 16 )

The next exploit was an action at law, againſt the good-man of Muiredge, a farmer who lived near by, that kept ſheep and ſwine. His ſheep came down and broke their yards, and are up their kail; the wild hares they thought belonged to the ſame man, as they ran to his houſe when they were hun'ed. The ſwine came very often in about their houſes, ſeeking fiſh guts and any thing they could get: So it happened, when one of the children was fitting eaſing itſelf, that one of the ſwine tumbled it over, and bit a piece out of its backſide! The whole town roſe in an uproar againſt poor grunkie, as they called her, and caught her, and takes her before Wiſe Willie. Willie took an ax and cut two or three inches off her long noſe. Now, ſays Wille, I trow I hae made thee ſomething like another beaſt; thou had fic a lang mouth before, it wad a frighted a very de'il to look at ye, but now ye're fac'd like a little horſe or cow. The poor ſow ran home roaring, all blood, and wanting the noſe; which cauſed Muiredge to warn them in before my Lord. So the wives that had their kail eaten appeared firſt in the Court, complaining againſt Muiredge. Indeed, my Lord, ſaid they, Muiredge is no a good man, when he is fic an ill neighbour; he keeps black hares an white haces, little wee brown backed hares wi' white arſes, an looſe, wagging horns; they creep in at our water guſh holes an does the like: When we cry, Puffie, puſſie, they rin hame to Muiredge: But