Page:Mad pranks of Tom Tram, son-in-law to Mother Winter (1).pdf/18

 18 THE MAD PRANKS ſuch a ſtrapping dame as you, Alas! Sir, ſaid ſhe, although he is little he is ſtrong. Well, little whipper-ſnapper, quoth Tom, what do you ſay to this; He replied, like your worſhip it is falſe what ſhe ſays; the truth it this: I have been at ſea, and com- ing aſhore, where I received my pay, I met with this woman, and agreed with her for half a crown, and when it was over, I pull'd out my purſe to pay her honeſtly what I had agreed for; but ſhe ſeeing that I had a con- ſiderable ſum of money, contrary to our bargain, would force me to give her ten ſhillings, and becauſe I would not, ſhe has brought me before your worſhip. Have you got that purſe of money ? quoth Tom: Yes, Sir, ſaid the ſeaman. Give it into my hand ſaid Tom. He receives it, and turning to the woman, ſaid, Here take it and get about your buſineſs. She replied, I thank your worſhip, you are an honeſt good man, and have done me juſtice. The little ſeaman the mean while wrung his hands and bitterly cried out, am ruined, for it is every penny I Had in the world. Well, quoth Tom, haſte after her, and take it from her again. Ac- cording to Tom's order he runs after her, and when he came after her, he ſaid, I muſt, and will have my purſe again. Then ſhe fell about his ears and cuſt him; may, this did not ſatisfy her, but ſhe dragged him back again to Tom, who ſat as juſtice, and told him, that the fellow followed her for the