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not my friends that told you that.-' Indeed, I am informed you are a drunkard.'-'I a drunkard,- You have not a soberer man in your parish. Stop sir, I will tell you how I lead my life,- in the morning I take a choppin of ale and a bit of bread; that I call my morning; for breakfast I generally take a herring and a choppin of ale, for I cannot sup brose like my lads ; the herring makes me dry, se at eleven hours, I take a pint, and sometimes three choppins; at supper I take a bit of bread and cheese, and a pint, and so go to bed.' Mess: John says, 'It's extravagant, sir, it's excessive drink- ing, I allow you the one half of it for a quarter of a year.' Says Leper, ' I'll try it, sir and come back and tell you. At the end of the quarter he draws out his account, and goes to Mess John, who was setting with the elders in the session house, and says, "Sir, I have a demand on you;' On me sir? Yes, on you, sir; Don't you remember you allowed me so much drink for a quarter of a year, and I want the money. ' Am I to pay your reckon- ing, Sir.' You allowed it, and if you won't pay it, I'll take you before the Provost. The elders ad- vised him to pay it, or he would be affronted ; Leper got the money. When he was at the door, he says, "Sir, will you stand another quarter?' Get away, says Mess John, and don't trouble ne. Lep- er says, I am sure you may, for I am always twa pence to your penny.
FINIS.
