THE RULING PASSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1319, 10 March 1877, Page 19

THE RULING PASSION.

Of a' the colliers in Coatbrig There ne'er were ony, auld or young, Deaf, dumb, or cripple, wee or big, Could haud a licht to Jock Kiltongue. So wild a man to drink and swear Doon to this earth was never sent, And should a mortal interfere, A " bet" would clinch the argument. Great in athletics was his skillHe challenged ilk ane i' the toon To rin him for a quart o' yill, . Or wrestle him for hauf-a-croon. Ac day he took an unco fit, And neither houk nor draw could he And when they brocht him f rae the pit Ihe bodies thocht that Jock wad dee. Quick to the manse a neighbour ran To bring the priest wi' sable coat. And doon he hurried, decent man ! Wi' a' his starch aboot his throat ! Said he, as by the bed he stood, "John, 'tis in vain with you I've striven, JSow, I implore you to be good— Repent, and you shall go to heaven.'! " And what will I do there?' quo' he. Unterrified by a' his sins, " Will I a common collier be. Habblin* wi' hutches, picks, and pins T f i " n °! when you to heaven are gone 1 You'll bid adieu to earthly things ; There you will be an angel, John, And fly about on airy wings." Quo* Jock, " Will ye be there an' a' And flee wi' wings, as weel as me ?' Yes ; freed from sin and from the law, An angel there I hope to.be." " Then when I'm sailin' through tU W And high aboon the wart' hoverifa', - If I should chance to meet ye there, 1 By Jove! Mflte ye for a sovereign!"