Page:Mad pranks of Tom Tram, son in law to Mother Winter.pdf/10

 play'd upon him: But to be even with them, in the morning Tom calls the hoſtler, and ſends him for nutmegs and ginger, and gets a grater; and when he had granted them he alſo grated the chips off the gallows, and mix'd with the ſpice only a little nutmeg and ginger he laid towards one end of the trencher for himſelf, and with a gallon of ale into the gentleman's chamber he goes, begging of them not to mock him any more with the gallows; and he would give them that ale and ſpice; and ſo, ſays he, gentlemen, I drink to you all. Now as ſoon as he had drank, the hoſtler call'd him, as he gave him charge before ſo to do, down ſtairs runs Tom, as faſt as he could: the gentlemen made all poſſible ſpeed to drink up the ale and ſpice before he came up again, and that was what Tom deſired. When he came again, ſeeing all the ale and ſpice gone, he ſays, Gentlemen, will you know why my horſe carried me to the gallows? Yes, ſays one of them, Well, ſays Tom, it was to fetch you ſome ſpice to your ale, and if you want I have more for you; and with that ſhewed then the chips out of his pocket, and away he runs, leaving the gentlemen to look one up in another, ſtudying how they ſhould be revenged on him.