Page:Whole proceedings of Jockey and Maggy (4).pdf/34

 34 THE PROCEEDINGS OF

come ye to the ſtool, its nothing when its ever, we cannot ſay o'er much to ye about it.

Upon Sunday thereafter John comes with uncle Rabby's auld wide coat, a muckle great gray lang tal'd wig and a big bonnet, which cover'd his face, ſo that he ſeem'd more like an old Pilgrim than a young fornicator; mounts the creepy with a ſtiff ſtiff back as he had been a man of ſixty, every one looked at him, thinking he was ſome old ſtranger who knew not the ſtool of repentance by another feat, ſo that he paſſed the firſt day unknown but to very few, yet or the ſecond it came to be known that the whole pariſh and many more came to ſee him; which cauſed ſuch, a confuſion the he was abſolved, and got his children baptiſed the next day.

But, there happened a tulvie between the twa mother who would have both their names to be Johns, a wee a weel, ſays old John their father to the miniſter, dece ſtir, ye maun ca the tane John an' the tither Jock, and that will pleaſe baith theſe enemies o' mankind.

Miniſter. A well John, ſuppoſe ye do, it is ſtill tw Johns nevertheleſs

John. A deed ſtir, ye maun gie the wicked a' thei will, we's ea' the byſtart Jockie, an' my ſon, Johnny Bell: On wi't ſome way and let her ca't as ſhe likes.

Miniſter. A dear John, but ye ſpeak indifferently about this matter, ye know not the nature of it.

John. A mony thanks to you Meſs John, now caus y hae chriſen'd baith my bairn and my byſtart, I hop you'll forgive me the buttock mail.

Miniſter. John, I deſire you to be ſilent, and to ſpeak none here: You muſt keep a ſtraight walk in time coming, free of ſcandal or offence.

John. Ay ſtir, an how think ye the like o' me can wal ſtraight wi' ſic auld ſhevelin heel'd fhune as mine, amang ſuch rugh rigs, highs an' hows as I hae to harl through

Miniſter. I need not speak to you, you are but a p - mean ignorant perſon.