Page:Laird of Cool's ghost (NLS104186974).pdf/16

 Upon the 10th of April, 1724, coming from Old-Hermes, the poſt road, we again met together upon the head of the p called the Peale, he aſked me if I had conſidered the matter he reccommended? I told him I had, and was in the ſame opinion when we parted; that I would not poſſibly undertake his h miſſions, unleſs he could give me them in writings under his. I told him that the firſt of his grievances were ſo great, that I could not poſſibly remember them without being in writing, that I wanted nothing but reaſon to determine me in that, and other affairs of my life: I know, ſays he, this is a mere evaſion but tell me if the laird of Thurſton will do it! I am ſure, fain he will not, and if he ſhould, I would do all that I could to hinder him; for I think he has as little concern in theſe things as myſelf. But tell me, Cool, is it not as eaſy to write your ſtory, as to tell or ride on what d'ye call him, for I have forgot your horſe's name.

Cool. No ſir, it is not, and perhaps I may convince you of reaſonableneſs of it afterwards.

Ogil. I would be glad to hear a reaſon that is ſolid for ſpeaking to your wife yourſelf; but, however, any rational creature may ſee what a fool I would make of myſelf, if I would go, and tell your wife that you had appeared to me,  told ſo many forgeries and villanies that you had committed; and that she behoved to make reparation: The event might perhaps  that ſhe would ſcold me, for ſhe would be loth to part with money ſhe poſſeſſes, and therefore tell me I was mad, or poſſibly purſue me for calumny: How would I vindicate myſelf! how I prove that ever you ſpoke with me! Mr Paton and other mifters in dumfries would tell me, it was the devil had ſpoken me, and why ſhould I repeat theſe things for truth, which he  was a liar from the beginning, had told me! C p l, and B. would be nponupon [sic] my top, and purſue me before commiſſaries, every body would look upon me as brain-ſick or mad, I intreat you, do not inſiſt upon ſending me a vain errand. The reaſonableneſs of my demands, I leave to your own conſideration as you did your former to mine. But dropping theſe matters our next interview, give me leave to enter upon ſome more ſubject, and I do not know Cool, but the information you have given, may do as much ſervice to mankind, as the redreſſing of all theſe grievances would amount to.