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

 the ſinging man cried out, the devil! the devil! No, quoth Tom, I am the ghoſt of goodman Johnſon, living hard by the church ſtile, unto whoſe houſe ye came and ſung catches, and owes me Five Pounds for ale, therefore appoint me a day when ye will bring me my money hither, or elſe I will haunt thee ſtill. The ſinging man promiſed that day ſe'enight, and accordingly he did; and Tom made himſelf brave clothes with the money, and ſweethearts came about him as bees do about a honey pot; but Tom wore a rope in his pocket and being aſked if he would marry, he wonld pull it out, and laugh, ſaying. I have broken my ſhins already, and will be wiſer hereafter; for I am an old colt, and now may have as much wit as a horſe.

HE juſtice at this time being without a man, and finding Tom to be a lively fellow, aſking him, if he would ſerve him. Yes, quoth Tom, for I am a great many miles from the country. As ſoon as they had agreed for wages. Tom was immediately entertained: But he had not liv'd