Page:History of Thomas Hickathrift (3).pdf/6

 he would not go : nay, pray thee, Tom go, said his old mother. He swore again he would not go, unless she would barrow him a cart rope. She being willing to please him, went and borrowed him a cart rope to his desire.

He taking it went his way; coming to the farmer's house, the master was in the barn, and two men threshing. Said Tom, I am come for a buttle of straw. Tom, said the master, take as much as thou canst carry. He laid down the cart rope, and began to make his buttle; said they, Tom thy rope is to short, and jeer'd poor Tom, but he fitted the man well for it: for he made his buttle, and when he had finished it, there was supposed to be a load of straw in it, of two thousand weight, Said they, what a great fool art thou, thou canst not carry the tenth of it? Tom took the buttle and