Scotland/Scots > Wilson's tales of the Borders and of Scotland > Volume 3

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TALES OF THE BORDERS.
sic a state I was hardly able to speak. ‘ "Walter Sander¬
son ! ’ answered my brother-in-law.
I believe I went into hysterics; for the first thing I mind
o’ after his saying so, was a dozen people standing round
about me—some slapping at the palms o’ my hands, and
others laving water on my breast and temples, until they
had me as wet as if they had douked me in Pollock’s Well.
I canna tell how I stood up against this clap o’ misery.
It was near getting the better o’ me. For a time I really
hated the very name and the sight o’ man, and I said, as
the song says, that
- Men are a’ deceivers.'
But this was not the worst o’ it—I had lost my all, and I
was now forced into the acquaintanceship of poverty and
dependence. I first went to live under the roof o’ my
youngest sister, who had always been my favourite; but,
before six months went round, I found that she began to
treat me just as though I had been a servant, ordering
me to do this and do the other; and sometimes my dinner
was sent ben to me into the kitchen; and the servant lassies,
seeing how their mistress treated me, considered that they
should be justified in doing the same—and they did the
same. Many a weary time have I lain down upon my bed
and wished never to rise again, for my spirit was weary o’
this world. But I put up wi’ insult after insult, until flesh
and blood could endure it no longer. Then did I go to
my other sister, and she hardly opened her mouth to me
as I entered her house. I saw that I might gang where I
liked—I wasna welcome there. Before I had been a week
under her roof, I found that the herd’s dog led a lady’s life
to mine. I was forced to leave her too.
And, as a sort o’ last alternative, just to keep me in ex¬
istence, I began a bit shop in a neighbouring town, and
took in sewing and washing; and, after I had tried them-