Page:Whole proceedings of Jockey and Maggy (4).pdf/16

 16 THE PROCEEDINGS OF

ſent to Sandy the Souter of Seggyhole, the Souter ſaddled his mare, and uncle Rabby got aff at the gallop on his grey powney, weſt the haggs, and o'er by Whit hill ſhough, the neareſt, and was at Sir James the Juſtices lang or John was brought into judgment.

John enters before the juſtice, with a red, red face Goode'en Mr. Juſtice Sir James, an't pleaſe your honour ye manna put me in priſon, for am no a melefactor but a poor honeſt kintry-man, that was born in an pianet, my mither ſays't, I had the ill luck of a misfortune to fa' foul wi' fornication, and got my mither's la wi' bairn the last year, and they're gawn to father't c me the year again.

The Juſtice ſmiling, anſwer'd, Indeed John I think it is but very juſt and reaſonable that' ye be accountable this year for your laſt year's labours.

Jock. Ay, ay, ſir, I have labour very fair ſince my father died, but our plough canna get gaun for fre days.

Juſt. Ay but John, that's no what I mean, it's th child ye got laſt year, ye muſt be anſwerable for this.

Jock. A deed ſtir, there was twa o' them, but them is ane o' them dead.

Juſt. A well then John, you'll have the more to give the one that's alive.

Jock. O! but ſtir, its my ain wean that's dead, the ane I get wi' my wife; I dinna ken whether the tither be mine or no.

Juſt. Yours or no, ſir, when ye told me ye get it; i ye ſhould get it wi' a beggar wife at the back of a dike what is that to the purpoſe, when it is of your getting you muſt maintain it.

Jock. O! yes ſtir, am no refuſing to gie meat and meal to maintain't; but my mither winna let me to the black-ſtool.

Juſt. Why not go to the black-ſtool, when guilty of ſuch action as deſerves it, if you have any reaſons why you should not go, argument it in the ſeſſion and clear yourſelf if you can.

John's mother enters, and addreſſes herſelf to th ſervant laſs, thinking ſhe was the juſtice's lady.