and the Beast, and one fragment (I think) of Cinderella, besides "The Flying Childer"; and I have come across it in at least one Scotch tale. Perhaps someone learned in the subject may be able to explain it.
"Fred the Fool" was told me by the same person as the first tale, and needs little explanation. It seems to be a droll, or to resemble one, and I am inclined to think that it is really the first portion of the last tale, which I have called "Sam'l's Ghost", though somewhat incorrectly, as the latter is not a Lincolnshire word. This was told me by Fanny, the child who narrated "The Dead Moon"; but she was very much less interested in it, and it is altogether a lower class of story. She knew nothing of the life of "Sam'l", nor how he came to be burnt.
The Flyin' Childer.
A'm skers sure ef a can tell 'ee 't ahl right, but a guess a mind it as 't wor tell't me'a. Le'ssee, na'ow! Theer wor wanst a chap 's wor gra'at fur tha wimmen-fo'ak, an' cud'n't kep out o' tha wa'ay ef a tried ever so; th' varry soight o' a pittyco't ha'f a mile off 'n th' road 'd ca'all un fur to foller 'n. 'N' wan da' ay, as 't mout be, a come ker-bang ra'ound a co'ner, 'n' theer wor a rampin' maid, settin' her lo'an an' washin' asel', an' th' fond chap wor ahl outer 's wit's to wanst. An' th' upshot o' 't wor, 's a sweer a 'd wed her, ef her 'd come ho'am wi' 'm; 'n' says she:
"A'll come, 'n welcome!" says she, "but thou'll mun sweer as thou'll wed ma."
"A will," says he, "a sweer 't!"—an' a thowt to 'msel', "ower th' lef showther, that!"
"Thou'll mun wed ma i' cho'ch," says she.
"A will!" says he—"Ef a iver put foot in," he thowt to 'msel'.
"An' ef thou do'ant, what'll a forspell 'ee?" says she.
"Lawks," says he, fur a wor feared o' bein' forspellt,
