life's reverses.
21
At length wi' success his exertions were crowned,
And his letter in safety the Widow Lee found.
"I've had boldness," he added, "this small sum to send,
In hopes it will, meantime, serve some little end;
At your early appointment a journey I'll take,
Explanations to give, and arrangements to make;
Meantime, my dear madam, I'd have you aware,
You are whole and sole heiress to a millionaire."
And his letter in safety the Widow Lee found.
"I've had boldness," he added, "this small sum to send,
In hopes it will, meantime, serve some little end;
At your early appointment a journey I'll take,
Explanations to give, and arrangements to make;
Meantime, my dear madam, I'd have you aware,
You are whole and sole heiress to a millionaire."
What wonder sic news made them dizzy a wee,
An' wag liken to put their puir senses agee.
"Rin ower to the huxter wife, Tam, my wee man,
An' say she's to come and speak quick as she can."
Wi' vague sense o' guid fortune Tam ran a' his micht,
Wond'rin' where was the siller, for nane met his sicht.
"Please, mistress, my mither says come ower and speak;"
"Na, na," said the huxter wife, "trust she would seek—
Gang hame again, laddie, and tell her I said
No a plack's worth she'll get till the last laif is paid."
"Did ye e'er ken the like 0't," said she, "a' yer life?"
Addressing her words to a customer wife.
"The callen looks hunger'd," the woman replied.
"I'se warrant he's that, or the neighbours hae lied;
That his mither has unco bad health tae they've learn'd,
Bat I canna for ilka sick wife feel concerned."
The customer thoughtfully counted her gear,
Paid her groceries, exclaiming, "A shilling's yet here;
An' wag liken to put their puir senses agee.
"Rin ower to the huxter wife, Tam, my wee man,
An' say she's to come and speak quick as she can."
Wi' vague sense o' guid fortune Tam ran a' his micht,
Wond'rin' where was the siller, for nane met his sicht.
"Please, mistress, my mither says come ower and speak;"
"Na, na," said the huxter wife, "trust she would seek—
Gang hame again, laddie, and tell her I said
No a plack's worth she'll get till the last laif is paid."
"Did ye e'er ken the like 0't," said she, "a' yer life?"
Addressing her words to a customer wife.
"The callen looks hunger'd," the woman replied.
"I'se warrant he's that, or the neighbours hae lied;
That his mither has unco bad health tae they've learn'd,
Bat I canna for ilka sick wife feel concerned."
The customer thoughtfully counted her gear,
Paid her groceries, exclaiming, "A shilling's yet here;
