Page:Whole proceedings of Jockey and Maggy (4).pdf/17

 JOCKEY and MAGGY. 17

Indeed miſtreſs madam, if ye were a kintry good-wife, like myſel, I could tell you a' about it, but you hat's gentiles, I canna uſe freedom wi' you, cauſe I nae na Latin. But waes me, we that's poor fouk is born o mony fealins and backward faus, this lad is my ſon, n am his mither, he has had the foul fortune to get byſtart bairn, nae doubt but we hae been a' guilty o' s muckle and ne'er a word about it, a what ſay ye madam?

Off goes the laſs, ſaying, Foul fa' the wife, for I was ne'er guilty o't.

Juſt. Well goodwife, what is the reaſon but ye let our ſon give ſatisfaction to the kirk?

Mith. Deed ſtir, he's no denying the bairn, but he'll o hae the black-ſtool.

Juſt. Ay, but I tell you, them that gets a byſtart, gets the black-ſtool to the bargain, and as he is in my ands now, he muſt find caution that he will anſwer he ſeſſion and be ſubject to the law.

Mith. Ony thing ye like, ſtir, but that ſhamefu' tance, the black-ſtool, here's uncle Rabby, and auld Sandy the Soutor, will be caution that we's face the ſeſſion on Sunday, the lad's wae enough he did it, but he anna help it now, the wean's born and by hand: Sae goodnight wi' your honour's ladyſhip, it's the firſt time 'er I was before you.

On Sabbath after ſermon the ſeſſion met, John and is mother is call'd upon, he enters courageouſly, ſaying, Goodeen to you Maſter Miniſter, bellman and elders ', my mither and me is both here.

Meſs John. Then let her in, come awa goodwife. What's the reaſon you keep your ſon ſo long back from nſwering the ſeſſion; you ſee it is the thing you are bliged to do at laſt.

Mith. Deed ſtir, I think there needs na be nae mair wark about it, I think when he's gien the lazy hulke, he mither baith meal and groats to maintain't, ye need na faſh him, he's a dutyfu' father, indeed, weel a vat, when he feeds his byſtart fae well.

Meſs John. Woman, are you a hearer of the goſpel?

B 3