FOLKLORE OF YULE. 143 



having omitted to sain their offspring on Yule 

 e'en. 



There are innumerable stories told of mischief which 

 the Trows have done at this period through the thought- 

 lessness of sceptical or foolhardy individuals. 



One Yule a large party had assembled at the Moola- 

 pund, and " after the evening was half spent they found 

 that the drink was aboot done, for double the number 

 o' folk had come than was expected," " Lads," said 

 the man of the house, " some 0' you will hae to gang 

 ower the hill for some liquor." " And ye'll meet the 

 Trows about the Moola-burn ! " cried a saucy damsel. 



" Is du no feared ta speak 0' the grey-folk ? " 

 whispered a youth in her ear. 



" No' I," said the lass. 



"Then come wi' me to the Moola-burn," he said, 

 " and see them linking ower the braes." Before she 

 could answer he said to the man o' the house, " Mauns, 

 I'se gang for the drink, and bonnie Breeta here is going 

 to follow me." Of course the lads and lasses laughed, 

 and the good man wrapped a warm shawl round the 

 girl, and bade young Josey take heed and no' stay 

 lang. But as they left the house an old woman 

 muttered, " Gude preserve them ; it was a f ule thing 

 0' Breeta to speak like yon about them that is oot this 

 night." 



Long, long did the folks wait, and many were the 

 wrathful words uttered at Josey's delay. At last he 

 came — and came alone. Nay, more, he reeled in, 

 flourishing two empty whisky bottles and shouting 



