Page:Scots piper's queries , or, John Falkirk's caraches.pdf/22

 very attention to Aminadab's discourse; and towards the conclusion, he was greatly astonished to hear him pronounce the following words: "that whereas on Monday last I have lost my bull together with a cow lately made me present of; whoever can give information of the said cow and bull, so as they may be recovered may receive a crown reward."

This appearing somewhat mysterious to Roger, he resolved to intimate his surprize to Aminadad; whom he addressed accordingly, as he was coming out of the meeting. The Quaker finding by his discourse that he was the person who had got both cow and bull, told him in a great passion that he would the next morning take a ride to Mr. Clearcase (a justice of peace, who lived at about three miles distance) and inform him of the affair. Roger determined to be at the justices as soon as the Quaker, and set out accordingly the next morning early.

On the road, Roger espied the Quaker's horse tied to the door of a small hedge alehouse to which he immediately went; and, peeping thro' a window perceived Aminadab and the landlord's wife transacting some affairs which could not be termed absolutely descreet. At this unexpected sight Roger was greatly overjoyed, knowing he could intimidate the Quaker at any time by letting him understand what he was privey to, which would excite the rage of his own conjugal termagant.