Page:Martha Spreull by Zachary Fleming.pdf/127

wha had been sae highly recommended by the Rev. Mr. Pinkerton, wis the party that had thefteously gone into the sideboard, and abstracted therefrom the spirituous liquors, already described by Maister Fleming when he put the case into my hands. In fact, she had been stovin’ wi’ drink from the hour she entered the place, and, on the cook speirin’ ance or twice what wis the matter wi’ her, she complained that she wis just a wee thing fatigued. This wis enough for me. I discharged her on the spot, and felt that wis necessary for the appeasment o’ justice. I learned efterwards from Mr. Pinkerton that he had written her character on the report of a Bible-wumman, who was a friend o’ her ain. I wis greatly praised for the courage and legal acumen I showed in managing the case, but that is neither here nor there, what I want to impress upon ye is this—and I think it may be looked on as the moral o’ the Chapter—hooever much ye may respect ministers for their public and private virtues, dinna put muckle dependence on their written testimonials o’ character.