Scotland/Scots > Licht frae the smiddy o' Saunders Dinwuddie

NO FELLOWSHIP WITH EVIL-DOEKS.
Saunders. What we were speaking of was, the
provision made by the big folks for diverting the
working people. That was the subject.”
“ Just that, Sir. I beg your pardon. A man
like me does na aye reason in a logical tread-mill,
or in a logical strait-jacket, like some o’ your
'reasonin' fools,’ as Tom Moore ca’s them. I
maun hae elbowroom, an’ I’ll speak oot my mind
wi’ a’ the freedom o’ fire an’ wind an’ water, when
they get leave to rampauge accordin’ to the
natural liberty o’ their lowse fury.”
“ Granted, Saunders. I do not expect you to
speak with the pertinence and precision of a
practised logician. Speak on as you list.”
“ Thank you, Sir; sae I’ll do as lang as I ha’e
a mind, a will, an’ a tongue o’ my ain. Aweel,
the great an’ the rich, the philosophers an’ the
showmen, the men o’ science an’ the men o’ sin in
general, would provide grand entertainments for
labour’s sons an’ dochters—would they ? To them
I would say, ‘ Lead us not into temptation ;’ mind
your ain affairs an’ we’ll mind ours. Wha pays
the piper for a’ this reelin’ an’ settin’, this crossin’
an’ deckin’ o’ bewitched souls ? Not you, ye
philanthropists—ye lovers o’ men. Ye pay the
common fare, that’s a’, an’ leave the workin’ men
to pay for your love to them wi’ their ain coin !
Nae sham, nae humbug, nae hypocrisy here !
Answer these questions yoursel’s. Nae pride,
nae vain-glory, nae lordly condescension here !
Answer thae queries, too, at your leisure. Gie’s
what’s richt; but dinna put us like in leading-
strings, as if we were bairns. ”
“We must exercise the law of charity, Saunders,