Page:Jachin and Boaz, or, The free mason's catechism.pdf/24

 they get a drop in their head) fell into the trough, and a' the rest came about, riving at her as if she had been part o' the breakfast. The ducks couldna' hand a fit. The geese were little better and when such broad web-footed worthies are so ill at the walking, you may guess that the hens and turkeys made a poor shift. Even the peacock and his lady so far lost sight of their gentility, as to become birds of a feather wi' their vulgar neighbours, and screamed and staggered about through dub and mire, spoiling all their finery, that they were lately so proud of displaying. The cock got better, but as for my lady, whether it was the vile mixture she had taken, or grief for destroying her rich dress, (for females you know, have a great regard for fine clothes) I cannot tell, but she never had a day to do well after it, but dwined awa', and seemed to die of a broken heart. Poor thing! It's a serious matter when females, who have been genteelly brought up, forget themselves.—poor Lady Pea! she could never regain her standing in the barn-yard, for every wide-mouthed drouthy rascal of a duck, even when sweltering in a gutter, expected her to be his boon companion.—In short, that morning there was neither beast nor body about Loganhouso that kent what they were doing, except the horses, and they were all as sober as judges; but a horse, as you a' ken, gentlemen, can carry a deal o' drink.