Page:History and comical transactions of Lothian Tom (6).pdf/5

 5 Tom was ſeverely whipt. Yet, in a little fter, he began to ſtudy to be revenged on is Maſter.

4. So it happened one day, as Tom went to the Maſter's houſe. the wife was ſtoop ng into a big meal-barrel to bring out ſome meal; there he takes her by the feet, and oups up her into the barrel with her head own, and her bare backfire uppermoſt ! hen runs into the ſchool, crying, O Maſter, Maſter! the de'il's looking out o' your meal tand, wi' a fat face, an: a black ill-faur'd mouth! yon's juſt Auld Nick, if he be living. At this the Maſter ran with all the ſpeed he could, to ſee what it was and found it to be is own wife, ſpeechleſs, and almoſt ſmoth- red to death ; but as ſhe could not tell who did it, Tom get clear off. Yet he was not ſatisfied without ſome more vengeance on the oid fellow: And knowing his Maſter had faſhion, when he was going to whip he boys, if they would not looſe their preeches willingly, he drew his knife and tut then through the waiſtband behind ; so Tom goes to a butcher, and gets a raw pudding, and fills it with blood and water, end puts it within the vaiſtband of his preeches; then goes to ſchool next day : and as the Maſter was fitting with his back owards the fire, Tom lights a piece of paper,