Page:Whole proceedings of Jocky and Maggy's courtship with the great diversion that ensued at their bedding.pdf/23

This page has been validated.

23

PART III.

Aff he goes to the minister, and owns a' his faut to him; and Mess John desired him to appear before the congregation the next Sabbath, to be rebuked for his fau't.

Jock. Indeed, Sir, I wad think nacthing to stan' a tims or twa on the black stool, to plcasc you, if there were naebody in the kirk, on a oukeday, but you and the elders to flyte a wcc on me; but 'tis waur on a Sunday to have a' bodies looking and laughing at mc, as I had been codding the peas, sipping the kirn, or something that's no bonny, like pissing the bed.

Minist. Aweel John, never mind you these things, but come ye to the stool it's nothing when it's over, we cannot say o'er muckle to you about it.

Upon Sunday thereafter, John comes with Uncle Rabby’s auld wide coat, a muckle grey lang-tail'd wig, and a big bonnet, which covered his face, so that he seemed more like an old Pilgrim than a young fornicator! mounts the creepy wi' a stiff, stiff back, as he had been a man of sixty! Every one booked at him, thinking he was some old stranger, who knew not the stool of repentance by another seat, so that he passed the first day unknown but to very few; yet, on