CHAPTER VII. 



UNHAPPY DOMESTIC EXPERIENCES. 



JOHN DUNCAN'S story now enters on a sad chapter, which 

 darkened more or less all the rest of his days, and might 

 have wrecked his life, if he had not possessed the strength 

 of character and capacity for higher pursuits that raised 

 him above its deteriorating influences. 



Like most well-regulated, affectionate men, John wished 

 to have a home of his own, "a dearer, sweeter spot than 

 all the rest," blessed by the tender offices of love, to which 

 to retire from the colder world without. 



Shortly after coming to Aberdeen, his attention was 

 taken by a good-looking smart young woman, named 

 Margaret Wise, whom he had seen at a print-field there. 

 They became acquainted, and an affection, real at least 

 on his part, sprung up between them. The young man, 

 however, found that, some months before he knew Margaret, 

 she had borne a child to another. Nevertheless, with the 

 impetuosity of youth, and under the glamour of first love, 

 which seems to have been very strong in one of his quiet 

 but ardent temperament, prudence was thrown to the 

 winds ; and they agreed to be married. They were united 

 in 1818, two years after his coming to the city, and the 

 ceremony was performed by the able and eccentric 



