Th' Barrel Organ

Excerpt

I came out at Haslingden town-end with my old acquaintance, “Rondle o’th Nab,” better known by the name of “Sceawter,” a moor-end farmer and cattle dealer.  He was telling me a story about a cat that squinted, and grew very fat because—­to use his own words—­it “catched two mice at one go.”  When he had finished the tale, he stopped suddenly in the middle of the road, and looking round at the hills, he said, “Nea then.  I’se be like to lev yo here.  I mun turn off to ‘Dick o’ Rough-cap’s’ up Musbury Road.  I want to bargain about yon heifer.  He’s a very fair chap, is Dick,—­for a cow-jobber.  But yo met as weel go up wi’ me, an’ then go forrud to our house.  We’n some singers comin’ to neet.”