Page:Tale of the Rebellion of 1745, or, The broken heart (2).pdf/15

15 these burdens they exchanged occasionally on the way home, it being deemed advisable, that the one who walked the most steadily should carry the child. On their arrival at home they did not seem certain what change had last been made ; and the husband deposited his burden in the cradle, while the wife locked her one up in the press. By and by the child began to cry, the wife set about rocking the cradle, and as the cries increased, her rocking exertions increased in equal proportion ; but all could not pacify the child. A neighbour woman hearing the noise, went in to see what was the matter, but on going to lift the child from the cradle, no child was there, but in lieu thereof, were the two stones of meal in a bag! The press was opened, and there was the child occupying the shelf usually allotted for the meal! We have not heard whether this canny couple have yet re-joined the tee-totalists.