Page:History and comical transactions of Lothian Tom (7).pdf/13

 Comical Tranfactions of Lothian Tom. 13

cent fellow and the jailor ftruggling toge- ther, and then fets off for England directly.

PART IV.

TOM, having now left his own native country, went into the county of Nor- thumberland, where he hired himfelf with an old mifer of a farmer; and here he continu- ed for feveral years, performing his duty in his fervice very well, tho’ fometimes playing a roguifh bite on thofe about him; his maf- ter had a very naughty cuftom, that he would allow them no candle at night to fee with when at fupper; Tom one night fets himfelf next to his mafter, and as they were about to fall on, Tom puts his fpoon into the heart of the difh where the crowdy was hot- teft, and claps a fpoonful into his mafter’s mouth; a pox on you for a rogue, cried his mafter, for my mouth is all burnt; a pox on you for a mafter, fays Tom, for you keep a houfe as dark as Purgatory, for I was going to my own mouth with that foup, and mif- fed the way, it being fo dark : Don’t think, mafter, that I am fuch a big fool as to feed you, while I have a mouth of my own : So from that night that Tom burnt his mafter’s mouth wish the hot crowdy, they always got a candle to fhew them light at fupper, for his mafter would feed no more in the dark while Tom was prefent.