Page:Four interesting tales.pdf/16

16 to be immediately hanged, or some other way disposed of, so that on his return from a journey he was about to undertake, he might never see him again. He then left the apartment, and the fate of the dog was for a few hours suspended. The interval, though short, was not thrown away. The condemned animal was sufficiently an adept in the tones of his master’s voice, to believe there was any hope left for a reversion of tho sentence. He therefore adopted the only alternative between life and death, by making his escape. In the course of the evening, while tho same servant was waiting at table, his lordship demanded if his order had been obeyed respecting the dog. “ After an hour's search, he is no where to bo found, my lord,” replied the servant.—The rest of the domestics were questioned, and their answers similar. The general conclusion for some days was that the dog, conscious of being in disgrace had hid himself in the house of a tenant, or some other person who knew him. A month however passed, without any thing being heard respecting him, it was therefore thought he had fallen into the hands of his late accuser, the farmer, and hanged for his transgressions.

About a year after, while his lordship was journeying into Scotland, attended only by one servant a severe storm drove him to shelter under a hovel, belonging to a public house, situated at some distance from the road, upon a heath. The tempest continuing, threatened rather to increase than abate, the night coming on, and no house suitable to the accommodation of such a guest, his lordship was at length induced to dismount, and go into the little inn adjoining the shed. On his entrance, an air of surprise and consternation marked the features and conduct of both the innholder and his wife. Confused and incoherent answers were made to common questions : and soon after, a whispering took