Page:Merry tricks of Leper the taylor.pdf/20

(20) and hangs it on a tree, opposite to the laird's window, then goes to the laird and tells him that his groom had hanged himself, and that if he would open his window he would see him hanging ; the laird was struck with astonishment, and knew not what to do; Leper, advises to bury him privately. The laird said he had not a servant he could trust, so begged of Leper to do it ; Leper refuses till the laird promised him a load of meal, then Leper pulls out all the hay out of the groom's clothes, goes and gets his load of meal, and sends it to Glasgow, then goes to the groom and says, lad, thy master is wanting thee:-so the lad in a haste runs to see what his master wanted, the laird no sooner saw him open the door, than he cried out, Avoid thee Satan, avoid thee Satan? the lad says what's the matter? Did you hang yourself this morning? Lord forbid ! said the lad; the laird says, If thou be an earthly creature, take that tankard and drink; which he did ; then says he to his master, Leper called me up, and said you wanted me in all haste; Ho, ho, said the laird, I find out the story now, if I had Leper I would run my sword through him ; but Leper