The lawyer inside had generally his wits about him even when asleep ; the first thing he did after learning the cause of the excitement was to produce a large red pocketbook . Meantime , Dominicus Pike , being an extremely polite young man , and also suspecting that a female tongue would tell the story as glibly as a lawyer 's , had handed the lady out of the coach . She was a fine , smart girl , now wide awake and bright as a button , and had such a sweet , pretty mouth that Dominicus would almost as lief have heard a love-tale from it as a tale of murder . `` Gentlemen and ladies , '' said the lawyer to the shopkeepers , the mill-men and the factory-girls , `` I can assure you that some unaccountable mistake -- or , more probably , a wilful falsehood maliciously contrived to injure Mr. Higginbotham 's credit -- has excited this singular uproar . We passed through Kimballton at three o'clock this morning , and most certainly should have been informed of the murder had any been perpetrated . But I have proof nearly as strong as Mr. Higginbotham 's own oral testimony in the negative . Here is a note relating to a suit of his in the Connecticut courts which was delivered me from that gentleman himself . 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 XXXXX be preceptress of the best academy in the State .
about after by inside on that though to under with