Page:Exploits of wise Willie and witty Eppie, the ale-wife, of Buckhaven (2).pdf/5



5                 one of the fishers in Bucky-harbour, and on the other hand, Witty Eppie, the ale- wiſe, wada sworn, Be-go, laddie, I wad rather see my boat an a' my three sons dadet against the Bass, or I saw ony ane o' then married to a muck a-byre's                 daughter; a whin useless tappies, it can do naething but rive at a tow rock, and cut a corn; they can neither bait a hook nor rade a line, houk sand-eels, nor ga- ther pirriwinkels. Now, Wise Willie and witty Eppie the ale wife, lived there about a hundred years ago. Eppie's Chamber was their College and Court-house, where they de- cided controversies, and explained their wonders; for the house was like a little kirk, had four windows and a gayle door; the wives got leave to flyt their fill, but fighting was prohibited, as Eppie said, "Up-hands was fair play." Their fines was a pint o' ale, and Eppie sale'd it at                  a plack the pint. They had neither minister nor magistrate, nor yet a bur- ley-bailie, to brag them wi' his Tolbooth. The Lord o' the Manor decided all dis- putable points, and Wise Willie and Witty Eppie, ale-wife, were the rul- ers of the town. Now, Eppie had a daughter, she ca'd                  her Lingle-tail'd Nancy, bocause of her fechless growih; her waist was like a