Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1821-02-06
From Hogg's Winter Evening Tales.
DUNCAN CAMPBELL.


DUNCAN CAMPBELL.
Duncan Campbell came from the High
lands, when six years Of age, TO live with
an old maiden aunt in Edinburgh, and
attend the school. His mother was dead:
but his father had supplied her place, BY
marrying his housekeeper. Duncan did
not trouble himself about these matters.
nor, indeed, about any other matters, save
black foal Of his fathers, aud large
sagacious coley, named Oscar, which be.
longed to Que of the shepherds. There
being no other boy save Duncan about
the house, Oscar and he we're constant
companions-with his garter tied rouud
Oscars neck, aud piece Of deal tied to
his big bushy tail, Duncan would often
lead him about the green pleased With the
idea that be was conducting a horse aud
cart. Oscar submitted to all this with
great cheerfulness, but whenever Duncan
mounted to ride on him, he found means
instantly to unhorse him, either by gal
Looping, or rolling himself on the green.
When Duncan threatened him he locked
submissive and licked his face and hands
when he corrected him with the whip, he
covered at his feet; matters were soon
made up. Oscar would lodge no where
during the night but at the door Of the
room where this young friend slept, and
wo be TO the man or woman who ventur-
ed 10 enter it at untimely hours
When Duncan left his native home, he
thought not Of bis father, nor any of his
servants. He was fond Of the ride, and
some supposed that be even scarcely
thought Of the black foai but when he
saw Oscar standing looking him ruefnlIy
ia The face, the tears Immediately blinded
both his eyes. He caught him around
the neck, Rugged and kissed him Good
bye Oscar" said he blubbering-" Good
bye, God bless you, my dear Oscar; )"
Duncan mounted before servant, and
rode away Oscar still followed on at
distance until he reached The top Of the
hili-he then sat down and howIed -
Duncan cried till his little heart was like
to BURST" What ails you p said the
servant. will never see my poor
honest Oscar again. said Duncan, 6 an
my heart Gamma bide it.n
Duncan siaid a year 10 Edinburgh, but
he did not make great progress in learn
ing. He did not approve highly Of at
tending the school, and his aunt was too
induIgent to compel bis attendance. She
grew extremely i'll one day-the maids
kept constantly by her, and never re.
garded Duncan. He was an additional
charge TO them, and they never loved
him, but used him harshly. 1t was now
with great difficulty that he could obtain
either meat or drink. In few days af-
ter his aunt was taken i'll she died. All
was in confusion, and poor Duncan was
like to perish with hunger she could
find no person 10 the house :; but hearing
noise 10 his aunt's chamber, he went in,
aDd beheld them dressing the corpse OF
his kind relation sit was enough. Dun
can was Mortified beyond what mortal
breast was able TO endure The fastened
down the stair, and ran along the High
Street, aud South Bridge, as fast as his
feet could carry him, crying necessarily
all the way. He could not have entered
the 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 be could only answer them by
exciaiming, g o ] dear! O dear !" and
struggling till he got free, held on his
course, careless whittier he went, provid-
ed he got far enough from the horrid
scene he had SO lately Witnessed. Some
have supposed, and believe Duncan has
been heard TO confess, that he imagined he
was running for the Highlands, but mis-
took the direction. However that was,
he continued his course until he came TO
place where two ways met little south
Of Grange Toll. Here he sat down, and
bis frenzied passion subsidized into soft
melancholy he cried no more but Sob
bed excessively, fixed his eyes on the
ground, and made some strokes 10 the
dust with bis finger.
A sight just then appeared, which
somewhat cheered, or at least interested,
bis heavy aud forlorn heart-it was large