Letter – Allan Bower to James Standsfield – 21 May 1684

                  							<M> Edenbrough <…>  of 1684

<Most  .............>

I am <sore pore sore> that I shoud of  <to.. co..> Agenst your honer for upon my  Reall  <faith> Itt was not my <defaut> but my father tyst me to cast bak the bargean and now I am com to the taking Itt Agean if itt be your will to lett me heave itt and I shall never turn for no man till your honer tyer of me no man shall work more and with less expences then I shall doe to your honer  <fye> said my father I will give the 12 pence my self than be made A sleave of them, I am com from Glen lyon and Egyell mynes and I have <An[oth]ere> onest man with me and a good workman att 6 pence a day and <he hes> a onest wife now sir to tell you the truth of the last unhapie deed my good brother was the kneauf my wife was innosent of itt and I my sellf but one of the bitts god knows if I be lying or no my wife being seek and I send him to douglas on errand and that knave <dike heght> him A pear of <sones> to gett him A ston of  the lead soe I had the trust of the mill I hung up the keye  he sloped out with itt and did what he pleased I was soe shamed I cold say nothing so I Remeane your honers humble sarvant to Command    Allen Bower younger.



[postscript added down the side of the letter:]

Sir I hope I will gett imployment from you casting Away all the daught <nosh…> seing my frends hes <beggled> me and caused me to doe so to your honer



[outer leaf:] The Right worthy James Stanfiell of new mills

[annotated:] 21 May 1684 young Allan Boare Lre that hys father entised him to breake the Contract he made with me