Biggar and the House of Fleming

120 BIGGAR AND THE HOUSE OF FLEMING.
o' drinking consists." "What is that, Richard '(" said Mr
Low. " It maun consist, I think, in the paying," replied Mr
Rob; "for I hae seen ye to-day tak a pairt o' thirteen drams,
and a single word o' reproof or objection hasna faun frae your
lips."
Mr Rob one day played a sad trick on old Robert Forsyth,
the bellman and grave-digger of Biggar. It has ever since
been a standing story in the district, and used some forty or
fifty years ago, to be related with admirable drollery by the late
James Sinclair, painter, Biggar. The minister of Biggar hap-
pening to have a litter of very fine pigs, promised to make a
present of one to his friend the minister of Dolphinton. He
therefore ordered Robert Forsyth to put one of them into a
pock, and proceed with it to Dolphinton Manse. The obedi-
ent sexton did as he was ordered. While trudging on his
way, and just as he approached Candy, where at that time a
dram was sold, he met Mr Rob. " Weel, Robert," says the
farmer, "as the day is warm, and as you are doubtless fatigued
wi' your load, ye had better step into Jenny's and I'll gie ye a
dram." To this proposal he readily assented. So the pock
was thrown down by the side of the door, and in he went to
quench his thirst and rest his limbs. While he was thus re-
freshing himself, the farmer went to the door, and succeeded,
without being noticed, in making a young whelp occupy the
place of the pig. At length our worthy resumed his journey
to Dolphinton, and, on his arrival at the manse, announced his
business with characteristic pomposity and importance. The
minister and his domestics came out to view and examine the
animal which had been so kindly sent by the reverend incum-
bent of Biggar ; when, on being turned out of the sack, to the
utter astonishment of all, it was not a sow, but a young dog.
Old Robert " declared, whatever it might be noo, he was sure
it was a pig whan he pat it into the pock." His reverence of
Dolphinton was offended, and offered the unfortunate sexton
neither refreshments nor reward, so he was under the necessity
of again shouldering his load, and, much mortified and vexed,
returning as heavy as he went. Mr R., who was still pur-
posely loitering about Candy, at length espied Robert coming
down the brae very gloomy and disconsolate. " What's the
matter wi' ye noo?" said Mr R. "Will the minister no tak