have returned the provost, but I had no clear notion how it would
advantage me to make the provost delegate, as was proposed. I
therefore, on the morning of the business, invited three of the
council to take their breakfast with me, for the ostensible purpose
of going in a body to the council chamber to choose the provost
delegate; but when we were at breakfast, John Snakers, my lad in the
shop, by my suggestion, warily got a bale of broad cloth so tumbled,
as it were by accident, at the door, that it could not be opened;
for it bent the key in such a manner in the lock, and crooket the
sneck, that without a smith there was no egress, and sorrow a smith
was to be had. All were out and around the tolbooth waiting for the
upshot of the choosing the delegate. Those that saw me in the mean
time, would have thought I had gone demented. I ramped and I
stamped; I banned and I bellowed like desperation. My companions,
no a bit better, flew fluttering to the windows, like wild birds to
the wires of their cage. However, to make a long tale short, Bailie
M'Lucre was, by means of this device, chosen delegate, seemingly
against my side. But oh! he was a slee tod, for no sooner was he so
chosen, than he began to act for his own behoof; and that very
afternoon, while both parties were holding their public dinner he
sent round the bell to tell that the potato crop on his back rig was
to be sold by way of public roup the same day. There wasna one in
the town that had reached the years of discretion, but kent what na
sort of potatoes he was going to sell; and I was so disturbed by
this open corruption, that I went to him, and expressed my great
surprise. Hot words ensued between us; and I told him very plainly
that I would have nothing further to say to him or his political
profligacy. However, his potatoes were sold, and brought upwards of
three guineas the peck, the nabob being the purchaser, who, to show
his contentment with the bargain, made Mrs M'Lucre, and the bailie's