The story is told of a man who had got himself installed in the eldership, and, in consequence, had for some time carried round the ladle for the collections.

He had accepted the office of elder because some wag had made him believe that the remuneration was sixpence each Sunday, with a boll of meal at New Year's Day.

When the time arrived he claimed his meal, but was told he had been hoaxed.

"It may be sae wi' the meal," he said coolly, "but I took care o' the saxpence mysell." There was a good deal both of the _pawky_ and the _canny_ in the following anecdote, which I have from an honoured lady of the south of Scotland:--"There was an old man who always rode a donkey to his work, and tethered him while he worked on the roads, or whatever else it might be.

It was suggested to him by my grandfather that he was suspected of putting it in to feed in the fields at other people's expense.