Page:Wonderful conferences which passed between the ghost of Mr. Maxwell of Cool, and the Rev. Mr. Ogilvy of Innerwick (NLS104185476).pdf/16

 I wanted nothing but reaſon to determince in that and all affairs of my life: I know, ſays he, that this is a mere evaſion; but tell me if the Laird of Thurſtorn will do it? I'm ſure, faid I, he will not; and if he ſhould, I would do all that I could to hinder him for I think he has as little concern in theſe matters as myſelf. But tell me, Cool, is it not as eaſy to write your ſtory as to tell it, or to ride on what d'ye call him, for I forgot your horſe's name.

Cool.]. No, Sir, it is not; and perhaps I may convince you of the reaſonableneſs of it afterwards.

Ogil.] I would be glad to hear a reaſon that is ſolid for not ſpeaking to your wife yourſelf; but however any rational creature may ſee what a fool I would make of myſelf, if I ſhould go to Dumfries to tell your wife, that you had appeared to me, and had told me ſo many forgeries and villainies that you had committed; and that ſhe behoved to make reparation: The event might perhaps be, that ſhe would ſcold me for the would be loth to part with any money ſhe poſſeſſes; and therefore tell me I was mad, or poſſibly purſue me for calumny. How would I vindicate myſelf? How could I prove that you had ever ſpoken with me? Mr Paton and the other miniſters of Dumfries would tell me, it was the devil that had ſpoken to me, and why ſhould I repeat theſe things for truth, which he, that was a liar from the beginning, had told me? Chappel and Barnhewrie would be upon my top, and purſue, me before the Commiſſaries; and every body would look upon me as brain-ſick or mad; therefore I entreat you, do not inſiſt upon ſending me an April errand. The reaſonableneſs of my demands, I leave to your own conſideration, as you did your former to mine. But dropping theſe matters, till our next interview, give me leave to enter upon ſome more diverting ſubjects; and I don't know, Cool, but the information you have given me, may do as much ſervice to mankind, as the redreſs of all theſe grievances would amount to. Mr. died very ſoon S.