Page:History and comical transactions of Lothian Tom (6).pdf/10

 11 with the coffin, and he ſhould have his money altogether. Tom ſet out for the ale houſe with the money, and lived well while it laſted. Next morning, the wright and his two lads. went out with the coffin ; and as they were going into the houſe. Tom's mother ſtanding at the door, aſked the maſter how he did, and where he was going with that fine coffin? he did not know well what to fay, being ſo ſurpriſed to ſee her alive! but at laſt he told her, that her ſon brought in the meaſure the day before and had got a guinea and a half from him, which he ſaid was to buy ſome neceſſaries for the funeral. O the rogue ! ſaid ſne, has he play'd me that? So the wright got his guineas and a half, and ſome- thing for his trouble, and had to take home his coffin with him again. 2 Tom being now ſhort of money again, began to think how he could raiſe a freſh ſupyly: So he went to the port amongſt the ſhearers, and there be hired about thirty of them, and agreed to give them a whole week's ſhearing at tenpence 3-day, which was twopence higher than any had got that gear; this made the poor ſhearers think he was as honeſt, generous and genteel a maſter as ever they ma with for he took then alt into an ale houſe, and gave them a hearty breakfaſt, till they could eat no more. Now,