Fountain of
Youth
As boys Jems and I
played many pranks on others but we also played many
pranks on each other. One day I devised a
scheme to get him. The front door of our house had
a double door entry way. In the long days of summer
the outside front door was always left open.
Normally this outer door would only be closed if the
day was raining or blustery. Containing our garden
was a high garden wall. Set into this garden wall
was our side garden door. Most everyone who came to
see us used the front door. Only our special
and very good friends used our back door in the wynd
(lane) side of our house. On a day that I knew that
Jems was coming to visit I carefully set the side
door in the wall just slightly ajar. On top of
the door I balanced a two gallon pail such that when
the door was opened it would go off balance and in
falling tumble upside down. Carefully I added water
to the pail until it was almost full to the brim.
When satisfied with my trap I retreated into the
house to wait. After about ten minutes with an
almighty racket the trap sprung. I opened the house
door prepared to laugh my head off at Jems. God
almighty. There stood our Presbyterian minister,
drookit, an wi' the bucket clashed doon ower his lugs.
When I was a baby he baptized
me. I returned him the favour but good.
The air turned blue as
forgetting his calling he shouted words of
profanity.
I survived to play
another day. Ha,ha.