Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog, Oscar (1).pdf/17

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only son and heir, and that a large ſum had been of- fered to any perſon that could diſcover him My parents certainly rejoiced in Duncan's good fortune, yet they were diſconsolate at parting with him : for he had long ago become as a ſon of their own ; and I Seriously believe, that from the day they firſt met, to that on which the two norlan' netties came to our houſe, they never once entertained the idea of parting. For my part, I wiſhed that the netties had never been born, or that they had ſtaid at their own home : for the thoughts of being ſeparated from my dear friend made me ſick at heart All our feelings, were, how- ever, nothing, when compared with thoſe of my siſter, Mary One day at dinner, after a long and fullen pauſe, my father ſaid, “I hope you do not intend to leave as very soon, Duncan?" "I am thinking of going away to morrow, Sir,” said Duncan. The knife fell from my mother's hand : ſhe looked him steadily in the face for the ſpace of a minute. " Duncan,” said the, her voice faultering, and the tears dropping from her eye-- Duncan, I never durst afk you before, but I hope you will not leave us altogether?" Duncan thrust the plate from before him into the middle of the table-took up a book that lay on the window, and looked over the pages-Mary left the room. No anſwer was returned, nor any further inquiry made ! and our little party broke up in ſi- lence. When we met again in the evening, we were ſtill all sullen. My father ſaid, “ You will ſoon forget us, Duncan; but there are ſome among us who will rol ſo ſoon forget you, Mary again left the room, and silence enſued, until the family were called toge- ther for evening worship. The next morning, after a restleſs night, Duncan roſe early, put on his best ſuit, and packed up some little articles to carry with him. I lay panting and