Page:Fun upon fun, or, Leper the tailor (2).pdf/2



Leper’s father lived in a village about six miles from Glasgow, and died when he was hut very young; he left a widow and three children, two daughters and a son; Leper being the youngest, was greatly idolized by his mother, who was a good soft-natured woman, very industrious, and followed the bleaching of cloth.

As Leper grew up he grew a very mischievous boy, playing many tricks on the neighbourhood, such as tying cats to dogs’ tails, breaking hens' legs, stopping peoples' lums, or chimney-tops; so that his poor mother was sadly vexed with complaints against him.

To get him kept from mischief she prevailed with a tailor to take him an apprentice; he settled, and was very peaceable for some time, until he got as much of his trade on his finger ends as he might pass for a journeyman, and then he was indifferent whether he staid with his master or not; his mistress gave him but very little meat when he wrought at home, so he liked best