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an attempt on the flock of a wealthy farmer in the parish of A———, in the west neuk of Fife. The sheep were grazing in a park adjoining the village churchyard, and hard by the public road. The eldest and most experienced of the depredators recommended that only one of them should go in among the sheep, as it would not alarm them so much as two. Accordingly the younger thief was despatched to bring a sheep, while the other went into the churchyard, and sat down upon a thorough-stone to amuse himself till his companion returned. Now it so happened that John, the minister’s man, had forgot to take home the Bible from the church, after the service of the day was over, which neglect was not perceived until the minister called for the books to perform the duty of family worship, when John was immediately sent to the church for the Bible. John not being possessed of a very daring spirit, and it being a dark winter night, was not very fond of visiting the abodes of the dead at such an hour; but when he arrived at the churchyard gate, and got a glimpse of the man sitting on the thorough-stone, his hair stood on end, and his fears soon conjured the thief into a demon. Without more ado he wheeled about, and made the best of his way to the manse, where he related his wonderful story, telling them that he saw the devil sitting on a grave breaking dead bones. An old cripple medicant, who was quartered at the manse during the sabbath, (for the minister, contrary to the general character of his brethren, was a very charitable man,) hearing John tell his appalling story, laughed at him, saying, “if I was as able to gang as you, I would soon bring the Bible.”——— “Well,” says John, “if you will accompany me, I will carry you on my back, and we’ll maybe be able
