Page:Laird of Cool's ghost (NLS104186838).pdf/14

14 the bond, the sum, and other particulars, with this honourable clause, “And at the time it had fallen by, and could not be found." With an obligation on the Provost's part to deliver up this bond as he could hit upon it. And this discharge was dated three months before the Provost s death. And when his son and successor, Andrew Crosby, wrote to me concerning this Bond, I came to him and shewed him the forged discharge, which silenced kin; so that I got up my bond without more ado. And when I heard of Robert Kennedy's death, with the same help of C—l, I got a Bill upon bim for i90l. of which I got full and complete payment, C—l got the half. When I was at Dumfries, the same day that Robert Grier died, to whom I was owing an account of 36l. C—, my good brother, was then at London, and not being able of myself, being but a bad writer, to make out a discharge of the account, which I wanted, I met accidentally with one Robert Boyd, a poor Writer lad in Dumfries; I took him to Mrs. Carnock's, and gave him a bottle of wine, and told him I had paid Thomas Grier's account, but had neglected to get a discharge, and if he would help me to one I would reward him. He flew away from me in a great passion, saying, he would rather be hanged; but if I had a mind for these things, I had better wait to C—l came home. This gave me great trouble, fearing what C—l and I had done formerly was no secret. I followed Boyd to the street, and made an apology, saying, I was jesting, commending him for his honesty, and get his promise never to repeat what had passed. I sent fer my consin B—m H—rie, your good-brother, who, with no difficulty, for A guinea and a half, undertook and performed all that I wanted, and for a guinea more made me up a discharge for 200l. Scots, that I was owing to your father-in-law, and his friend Mr Muirhead, which discharge I gave to John Ewart, when he desired the