Page:History of Duncan Campbell, and his dog Oscar (1).pdf/3

 bless you, my dear Oscar;" Duncan mounted before a servant, and rode away—Oscar still followed at a distance, until he reached the top of the hill—he then sat down and howled; Duncan cried till his little heart was like to burst.—"What ails you?" said the servant, I will never see my poor honest Oscar again," said Duncan, "an' my heart canna bide it."

Duncan staid a year in Edinburgh. but he did not make great progress in learning. He did not approve highly of attending the school. and his aunt was too indulgent to compel his attendance. She grew extremely ill one day—the maids kept constantly by her, and never regarded Duncan. He was an additional charge to them, and they never loved him. but used him harshly. It was now with great difficulty that he could obtain either meat or drink. In a few days after his aunt was taken ill she died. —All was in confusion, and poor Duncan was like to perish with hunger;—he could find no person in the house; but hearing a noise in his aunt's chamber, he went in, and beheld them dressing the corpse of his kind relation; it was enough.—Duncan was horrified beyond what mortal breast was able to endure;—he hasted down the stair, — and ran along the High Street, and South Bridge, as fast as his feet could carry him, crying incessantly all the way. He would not have entered that house again, if the world had been offered him as a reward. Some people stopped him, in order to ask what was the matter, but he could only answer them by exclaiming, "Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" and, struggling till he got free, held on his course, careless whither he went, provided he got far enough from the horrid scene he had so lately witnessed. Some have supposed, and I believe Duncan has been heard to confess, that he then imagined he was running for the Highlands, but mistook the direction. However that was, be continued his course until he came to a place,