I find it dated at ten o'clock last evening . '' So saying , the lawyer , exhibited the date and signature of the note , which irrefragably proved either that this perverse Mr. Higginbotham was alive when he wrote it , or , as some deemed the more probable case of two doubtful ones , that he was so absorbed in worldly business as to continue to transact it even after his death . But unexpected evidence was forthcoming . The young lady , after listening to the pedler 's explanation , merely seized a moment to smooth her gown and put her curls in order , and then appeared at the tavern door , making a modest signal to be heard . `` Good people , '' said she , `` I am Mr. Higginbotham 's niece . '' A wondering murmur passed through the crowd on beholding her so rosy and bright -- that same unhappy niece whom they had supposed , on the authority of the Parker 's Falls Gazette , to be lying at death 's door in a fainting-fit . But some shrewd fellows had doubted all along whether a young lady would be quite so desperate at the hanging of a rich old uncle . `` You see , '' continued Miss Higginbotham , with a smile , `` that this strange story is quite unfounded as to myself , and I believe I may affirm it to be equally so in regard to my dear uncle Higginbotham . He has the kindness to give me a home in his house , though I contribute to my own support by teaching a school . I left Kimballton this morning to spend the vacation of commencement-week with a friend about five miles from Parker 's Falls . My generous uncle , when he heard me on the stairs , called me to his bedside and gave me two dollars and fifty cents to pay my stage-fare , and another dollar for my extra expenses . He then laid his pocketbook under his pillow , shook hands with me , and advised me to take some biscuit in my bag instead of breakfasting on the road . I feel confident , therefore , that I left my beloved relative alive , and trust that I shall find him so on my return . '' The young lady courtesied at the close of her speech , which was so sensible and well worded , and delivered with such grace and propriety , that everybody thought her fit to be preceptress of the best academy in the State . But a stranger would have supposed that Mr. Higginbotham was an object of abhorrence at Parker 's Falls and that a thanksgiving had been proclaimed for his murder , so excessive was the wrath of the inhabitants on learning their mistake . The mill-men resolved to bestow public honors on Dominicus Pike , only hesitating whether to tar and feather him , ride him on a rail or refresh him with an ablution at the town-pump , on the top of which he had declared himself the bearer of the news . The selectmen , by advice of the lawyer , spoke of prosecuting him for a misdemeanor in circulating unfounded reports , to the great disturbance of the peace of the commonwealth . Nothing saved Dominicus either from mob-law or a court of justice but an eloquent appeal made by the young lady in his behalf . Addressing a few words of heartfelt gratitude to his benefactress , he mounted the green cart and rode out of town under a discharge of artillery from the schoolboys , who found plenty of ammunition in the neighboring clay-pits and mud-holes . As he turned his head to exchange a farewell glance with Mr. Higginbotham 's niece a ball of the consistence of hasty-pudding hit him slap in the mouth , giving him a most grim aspect .
His whole person was so bespattered with the like filthy missiles that he had almost a mind XXXXX ride back and supplicate for the threatened ablution at the town-pump ; for , though not meant in kindness , it would now have been a deed of charity .
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