Produced by David Fawthrop and Alison Bush Yorksher Puddin' A collection of the most popular dialect stories From the pen of John Hartley. Born 1839 Died 1915. Author of "Yorkshire ditties," "Clock Almanack," "Seets i' london," etc. "This life, sae far's I understand, is an enchanted fairy land, where pleasure is the magic wand, that weilded right, maks hours like minutes, hand in hand dance by fir' light." _Burns._ The Copyright of this Book is entirely the property of W. Nicholson and Sons, and no one will be allowed to print any portion of it without their permission. Preface The numerous applications for the productions of Mr. Hartley's pen, the majority of which have been out of print for many years, warrants us in believing that this collection of Yorkshire Stories, will be welcomed to a large circle of his admirers. Dedication To my Dear Sister Hannah, to whose love and motherly care I owe more than I can ever repay, I dedicate this little book as a token of sincere affection. John Hartley Christmas 1876. Contents Frozen to Death Or the Cottage on the Hill. Pill Jim's Progress Wi' Johns Bunion. Moravian Knight's Entertainment. Sperrit Rappin. Ther's a Mule I' th' Garden. A Neet at "Widup's Rest." Tinklin' Tom. Th' New Schooil Booard. Tha Caps me Nah! Nay Fer Sewer! Th' Battle o' Tawkin. "Owd Tommy." (A Yorkshire Sketch.) It Mud ha' been War. Ha a Dead Donkey Towt a Lesson. One, Two, Three. Sammy Bewitched. Hard to Pleeas. Ratcatchin'. Owd Moorcock. Peace Makkin. Awr Emma--A False Alarm. Niver Judge by Appearances. Mi First Testimonial. Five Paand Nooat. Silly Billy. Put up wi' it. A Queer Dream. The Mystery of Burt's Babby Mak th' best on't. Mrs Spaiktruth's Pairty. Why Tommy isn't a Deacon. One Amang th' Rest. What's yor Hurry? Ha Owd Stooansnatch's Dowter gate Wed. Th' New Railrooad. Mose Hart's Twelvth Mess. Th' Hoil-i'th'-Hill Statty. Owd Dawdles. Property Huntin'. Abraham's Sparrib. A Run ovver th' Year. Frozen to Death Or the Cottage on the Hill. A Christmas Story. CHAPTER I. The last strain of the grand old Christmas hymn had just been warbled forth from the throats and hearts of a number of happy folks, who were seated around the blazing log one Christmas eve; and on the face of each one of that family circle the cheering light revealed the look of happiness; the young--happy in the present, and indulging in hopeful anticipations for the future; the old,--equally happy as the young, and revelling in many a darling memory of the past. "Come, Uncle John!" said a bright-eyed, flaxen-haired beauty, over whose head not more than ten Christmas days had passed,--"Come, uncle, _do_ tell us a story; you know that we always expect one from you."