Part 4

C. 'Tis true, Sir, that among the Living, Men may find some probable way of securing themselves, but, if Spirits departed were allowed, then no Man would be secure, for, in that Case, every Man they had a Prejudice at, would soon be beggared.

O. But might not you go, to the Mines of Mexico, where these little Sums would never be missed?

C. No, for the same Reason.

O. But, Coul there is so much Treasure lost in the Sea, you can easily dive into the Bottom of it, search that, and refund these People their Losses, and thereby no Man is injured.

C. You are a little too forward, and incline much to banter; what I said might satisfie you; but since it does not, I tell you further, that no Spirits, good or bad, have any Power to take any Money or Gold: the Good never do. And the Bad, if once in an Age they do, it is no Small Parcel [so, in the Copy]; for if it were allowed them, then, they would be very successful in their Bussiness, for they would never fail to gain their Point.

O. What hinders them, said I, Coul?

C. Superior Power, that guards & governs all.

O. You have satisfied me entirely upon that Head, said I; but prithee, Coul, what is the Reason, that you cannot go to your Wife yourself, and tell her what you have a Mind to; I should think this a sure way to gain your Point.

C. The Reason is, because I cannot.

O. That does not satisfy me Coul.

C. And that is one of the Questions that I told you long ago, I would not answer. But, if you will go, as I desired, I promise I mail give you full satisfaction, after you have done your Bussiness. Trust me for once, and believe me I will not disappoint you.

The Fourth Conference.

Upon the 10{th} of April 1722. coming from old-Camus upon the Post road, I met with Coul as formerly, upon the Head of the Pathe called the Pease. He asked me, if I had considered the matter he had recommended? I told him, I had, and was in the same opinion that I was of, when we parted: that I could not possibly undertake his Commission, unless he would give it in Writing under his Hand. I wanted nothing but Reason to determine me, not only in that, but all oyr Affairs of my Life. I added that the List of his Grievances was so long, that I could not possibly remember them w{t}out being in Writing.

I know, said he, that this is a mere Evasion: but tell me, if your Neighbour, the Laird of Thurston will do it? I would gladly wait upon him.

O. I am sure, said I, he will not: and, if he inclined so, I would do what I could to hinder him; for, I think, he has as little Concern in these matters, as I. But tell me, Coul, is it not as easie for you to write your story, as to tell it, or to ride on What is it you call him, for I have forgotten your Horse's Name.

C. No, Sir, 'tis not, and perhaps I may convince you of it afterwards.

O. I would be glad to hear a Reason that is solid, for your not speaking to your Wife your Self. But however, any rational Creature may see, what a Fool I would make of my self, if I should go to Dumfries and tell your Wife, that you had appeared to me, and told me of so many Forgeries and Villanies which you had committed, and that shee behoved to make Reparation. The Event might, perhaps, be, that shee would scold me: for, as 'tis very probable, shee will be loth to part with any money shee possesses, and therefore tell me, I was mad, or possibly might pursue me for Calumny. How could I vindicate my Self, how should I prove, that ever you had spoken with me? M{r} Paton, and the Rest of my Broyrn would tell me, that it was a Devil who had appeared to me, and why should I repeat these Things as Truth, which he that was a Lyar from the Beginning had told me? Chapel and Barn-howrie would be upon my Top, and pursue me before the Commissary, and every Body will look upon me, as brainsick or mad. Therefore, I entreat you, do not insist upon sending me an April-Errand: The Reasonableness of my Demand I leave to your Consideration, as you did your former to mine; for I think what I ask is very just. But dropping these matters till our next Interview; give me leave to enter upon some more diverting Subject; and I do not know, Coul, but thro' the Information given to me, you may do as much Service to Mankind, as the Redress of all the Wrongs, you have mentioned would amount to, &c.

THE END.

Elliot Stock, Paternoster Row, London.

Footnotes:

The first appearance that Coul made was to Dr. Menzies's Servant at a Time he was watering his Master's Horse. At some subsequent Appearance, while the Lad was about the same Business, whether Coul had done him any real Harm, or, that the Lad had fallen from his Horse thro' Fear and Confusion, is uncertain, but so it was, that the Lad was found Dead on the Road.

A Paith in Scottish signifies a steep, and oft times rugged Road.

Transcriber's Notes:

Passages in italics are indicated by italics.

Superscripted letters are shown in {superscript}.