Page:Scoundrel Will's advice to his sons.pdf/5

5 10. I carlyearly [sic] in my life began

The business world to weigh and seanscan [sic],

And many a wary, cunning man

I had to cheat,

By some ingenious shift or plan,

My bills to meet.

11. In years when grain was raw and light,

So fozy it would scarcely dight,

I look'd around me, left and right,

As sharp's a razor,

Till I got some unskilful wight

To buy by measure.

12. When want of straw was nae drawback,

But in the ear I saw a lack,

I some way always had the nack

Of eoaxingcoaxing [sic] fools

To buy in slump, so muehmuch [sic] the stack,

Grain, straw, and hools.

13. When markets seemed upon the fall,

I on a wealthy sot would call,

Along with friends who eouldcould [sic] enthrall

Wi' drink the cuif,

And swear next day he bought my all,

And they were proof.

14. Mind, few with me can haud or draw,

Brow-beat, hoodwink, contend, or thraw;

Or if they do, away to law

At oneeonce [sic] I travel;

For there, with lies, and tricks, and jaw,

I'll beat the devil.

15. I know a little lawyers' lore;

And, as I hinted at before,

In any pinch I have a core,

All cut and dry,

To swear, on every point and sore,

The greatest lie.