the justice lang or Jahn was brought into judgement.
John enters before the justice with a red, red face like a well paid arse, faus down on his knees, saying, Guide'en Mr Justice, Sir James, an' please your honour, ye mauna put me in prison, for I'm no a malefactor, but a poor honest kintryman, that was born in an ill planet, my mither says't, I had the ill luck of a misfortune to fa' foul wi fornication, an got my mither's lass wi' bairn the last year, an they're gaun to father't on me the year again.
The justice smiling, answered, 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 laboured very fair since my father died, but our plough canna get gane for frost this four days.
Just. Ay, but, John, that's no what I mean, the child you got last year, ye must be anſwerable for this.
Jock. A deed, sir, there was twa o' them, but there 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, it's my ain wain that's dead, the ane I got wi' my wife; I dinna ken whither the tither be mine or no.
Just. Your's or no, Sir, when ye told me ye got it; if ye should get it wi' a beggar wife at the back o' a dyke, what's that to the purpose, when it is of your getting, you must maintain it.
Jock. O! yes, stir, am no refusing to gie meat an 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 a sinful action as deserves it, if you have any reason why you should not go, argument it in the session, and clear yourself if you can.
John's mither enters, and addresses herself to the servant lass, thinking she was the justice's lady.
