Page:John Falkirk's cariches (2).pdf/23

23 tell ye what, he disna mak them bide in their graves. What will ye wager, Mr. Mitchell, that there's no a dead woman standing up against the wa', in the kirk-yard ?' 'The man's daft l' uttered the astonished "Mr. Mitchell. ' Gang awa' hame to your wife, Tam Merrilees, and sleep your- self sober.'- Sober,' said Tam, very dryly, did ye say sober ? Hum! that'll be just as muckle as saying that I'm fou'; may be I am, may be no ; but if you think sae, Mr. Mitchell, that'll no hinder ye fra taking a bet upon it. After a lengthened parley, in which Tam strenuously supported his assertion, Maister Mitchell, in or- der to get rid of his visitor's company, was fain to accept a bet of a dozen of strong ale' that no such thing existed, save in Tam's imagination; and it was agreed that the two should call at the sexton's house at seven of clock, and procure the keys, after which they were to proceed to the scene of dispute. Who can imagine the amaze- ment of the horror-struck elder, at perceiving the corps of a woman standing upright against the wall, in the very identical spot that Tam had des- seribed ? It was some time ere he could sufficiently compose himself to interrogate Tam upon so my- sterious an affair. On his explaining the whole circumstance, the elder's risibility was not a little - raised at Tam's description of the jolting he had