Page:Fun upon fun, or, The comical merry tricks of Leper the taylor (4).pdf/16

16 The Barber reſolved to be revenged on Leper, for when he was ſhaving Meſs John, he tells him that Leper was the drunkeneſt fellow in the pariſh; for Meſs John warns him to the ſeſſion, Leper comes and ſays, What do ye want with me, Sir? Come away Leper, ſays Meſs John, I hear a bad report of you; Me, Sir! I am ſure they were not my friends that told you that. Indeed, I am informed you are a great drunkard; I a drunkard! you have not a ſoberer man in your pariſh: Stay Sir, I'll tell you how I lead my life: In the morning I take a choppin of ale, and a bit of bread, that I call my morning: for breakfaſt I generally take a herring and a choppin of ale, for I cannot ſup broſe like my lads; the herring makes me dry, ſo at eleven hours I take a pint; at dinner another pint; at four afternoon my comrades and I join, ſometimes we are a pint and ſometimes three choppins; at ſupper I take a bite of bread and cheeſe and a pint, and ſo I go to bed: Meſs John fays, It's extravagant Sir, it's exceſſive drinking, I allow you the one half of it for a quarter of a year; ſays Leper, I'll try it, Sir, and come back and tell you. At the end of the quarter he draws out his account, and goes to Meſs John, who was ſitting with his elders in the ſeſſion-houſe, and ſays, Sir, I have a demand on you: On me, Sir! Yes, on you, Sir; Don't you remember you allowed me ſo much drink ſo.— quarter of a year, and I want the money; Am I to pay for your reckoning, Sir? You allowed it, and if you won't pay it, I'll take you before the Provoft: The Elders adviſed him to pay it or he would be affronted: ſo Leper got the money: When he was at the door, he ſays, Sir, will ye ſtand another quarter? Get away, ſays Meſs John, and don't trouble me. Leper ſays, I'm ſure you may, for I was always two pence to your penny.