Page:History of Buchaven (sic) in Fifeshire (2).pdf/19

 Jan.—The auld thief speed the darth o't, sir, far less might sair you and your bell-man baith. O but this be a world indeed, when poor honest fouk maun pay for making use o' their ain a—! Ye misca the poor deil aint his back, an' gies him the wyte of de ill in de kintry, bastard bairns and every thing; and if it be say as ye say, ye may thank de deil for that four pound and a groat I hae gien you; that gars your pat play brown, an gets you jockey-coats, and purl-handed sarks, and white-headed staves, when my father's pot wallops up nought but bear and blue water.

The woman is mad, said they, for this money is all given to the poor of the parish!!

Jan.—The poor of the parish! Feint a hate ye gie to them but we pickles o' pease-meal, didna I see their pocks? an' the minister's wife gies naething ava to unco beggars, but bids them gae to their ain parishes; and yet ye'll tak the purse frae us for naething but playing the loon a wee or we be married, and syne cock them up to be looked on, and laugh'd at by every