Page:Scots piper's queries, or, John Falkirk's cariches (1).pdf/20

 day to represent to him, in the most emphatical manner, what an heinous crime it was to neglect divine service. She held forth so long, and so loud on this head, that he, tired by her vociferous eloquence, rather than convinced by her arguments, determined to leave his beloved seat, with an intention to go to church. He went accordingly from home; but happening in his way to the church, to see the door of the quaker's meeting open, he went in, sat down on a form, and fell fast asleep.

Aminadab Holdforth, having sustained some losses, was telling his auditors, that whatever they gave to him, should be returned twofold. Roger waked, just as he made this declaration, and from the meeting to his cottage revolved these words in his mind.

When he got home, he repeated them to his wife; telling her at the same time, that as he thought it improbable his friend Aminadab should lie, he was determined to make him a present of their cow Cherry; as it would, according to his promise in the meeting, be returned two-fold.

On this extraordinary information the poor woman set up a most dismal outcry: urging, in the strongest terms, that her dear Cherry's milk was the chief of their support: but all to no purpose, Roger was absolutely bent on his design, and drove away immediately to Aminadab's, regardless of her lamentations and piteous moans.