Page:Merry tricks of Leper the taylor.pdf/8

(8) corrageous taylors that was in all the kingdom; and many shaking their heater, said, it was a pity he was a taylor, a captain or general of an army, as devil could not fear him."

After this a farmer in the neighbourhood hearing the fame of Leper, how had frighted the de'il frae being a bellman, sent for him to an ale-house, and drank with him very heartly, and to him, he was sadly borne down by the spirit of jealoucy against his wife ; an suspicion of her being too free with servant lad he had before, and if he would keep it secret, and learn him to find out, he would give his mother a load meal, to which Leper agreed, he gave the poor supposed cuckold instructions how to behave. So home he goes, and feign himself very sick, and every day worse and worse, taking death to him, blessed his three small children, and charges his wife not to marry until his children could do something for themselves. This hypocritical woman takes a crying, Aha marry she could never marry! no, no there should never a man lye by my side or kiss my lips after thee, my ain dear lamb Johnny.---Theo he acts the