Page:History of Thomas Hickathrift (3).pdf/7

 flung it over his shoulder, and made no more of it than we do of an hundred weight, to the great admiration of master and men.

Tom Hickathrift's strength being then known in the town, they would no longer let him lie baking by the fire in the chimney corner, every one would be hiring him to work; they seeing him to have so much strength, told him that it was a shame for him to live such a lazy course of life, and to lie idle day after day, as he did.

Tom seeing them bait him in a manner as they did, went first to one work then to another; but at length came a man who would hire him to go to the wood; for he had a tree to bring home, and he would content him. Tom went with him, and he took with him four men besides; but when they came to the wood, they set the cart on the tree, and began to