they ca'd Kirsty Simson.

Kirsty was a remarkably weel-faur'd woman, and a number o' the farm lads round about used to come and see her, as weel as trades' chields frae about Coldstream and Birghamno that she gied them ony encouragement, but that it was her misfortune to hae a gude-looking face.

He was very angry; and, 'Kirsty,' said he, 'I dinna like thae youngsters to come about the house.'

"'I'm sure, sir,' said she, 'I dinna encourage them.' "'Weel, Kirsty,' said he, 'if that's the way, if ye hae nae objections, I'll marry ye mysel'.'

It's the tale o' Kirsty Lamont and her rent box.

I'll be saying, first, that I dinna know Kirsty Lamont, though I mak' sae free wi' her name, gude soul!

"How was the way o' that, Kirsty Lamont?" asked another.

Fat wad the neighbors be sayin' if they saw Kirsty Lamont gang to a concert in a rent weekfashin' aboot like that!'

"Ye'll be sorry yet for this nicht's work, Kirsty Lamont.

" You may be sure I did not turn to let the good Kirsty see my face.

I've heard such tales before and since the time I heard Kirsty say what she thocht o' me.

I was sae unwise as tae tell it to him, and he told it to everyone else, and was always threatening me with Kirsty Lamont.

He worked up a great time with the wife, tellin' aboot this Kirsty Lamont that was so eager to see me, till Nance was jealous, almost, and I had to tell her the whole yarn before she'd forgie me!