The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-10

alive when he wrote 1T somo deemed tho
more probable OF two doubtful ones that
he was 50 absorbed in worldly business as 10
% It even after his death But
young lady, after listening the peddiers ex-
gown and put her curis in order. and then ao-
pca-ed at the tavern door, making a modest
signal to DO heard.
Good people" said she. 1T am Mr. Higen-
bothan's niece
wondering mu-rur passed through tho
crowd on beholding her SO rosy and bright
that same unhappy niece whom they had sup
posed. on the authority OF the Parker's Falls
Gazette, TO DC lying deaths door In a faint
i In, #, But some shewd fellow had doubted
so desperate at the hanging OF a rich old uncle
You see" continued Miss II sginbotham. with
smile that this strange story is quite un-
founded as 10 myself and believe may affirm
1t to be equally in regard my dear uncle
Higginbotham. He has the kindness TO give mo
homo in his house though ! contribute my
own support by teaching school left KIM
ballton this morning spend the vacation of
commencement with friend about Ave
miles from Parker's Falls My generous uncle
when ne hoard tho stairs, called me to
his bedside and gave mo two dollars and fifty
cents to pay my stage fare. ard another dollar
FOR my extra expenses. He then laid his pocket
book under his pillow shook hands with mo-
and advised mo 70 take some biscuit in my bag
instead OF breakfastins the road feel con-
fdent. therefore that left my beloved relative
alive. and trust that shall md him my
return
The young lady courtesied at tho close OF tho
speech. which sensible and well worded
and delivered with such grace and propr.ety
that everybody thought he. At to be preceptress
OF the best academy IN the State. But stranger
would havo supposed that MI Higginbotharn
object OF abhorrence at Parker's Falls
and that a thanksgiving had been proclaimed
for his murder. excessive the wrath OF
tho Inhabitants on learning their mistake. Tho
mill resolved to bestow public honors on
Dom!nicus Pike. only hesitaung whether to tar
him with ablutioa at the town-pump on tho
top OF which he had declared himself tho bearer
OF the news. The selcctmeA. BY advice OF tho
lawyer. spoke Of prosecuting him for misde-
Eeano- IN circulating untounded reports to the
great disturb ance OF the peace OF the common
wealth Nothing saved Domintcus either from
nob-law n court OF Justice but an eloquent
appeal made by the young lady In his behalf
Addressing few words of heartfelt gratitude
to his benefactress. he mounted the green cart
and rode out OF town under discharge OF ar
uilery from schoolboys. who found plenty ot
ammunition in the neighboring clay pits and
mud holes. he turned his head TO exchange
a farewell glance with Mr. Higginbotham.
niece ball OF the cons!stence of hasty-pudding
hit him slap In the mouth. giving him a mos.
grim aspect His whole person was SO bespat-
tered with the like filthy missiles that he had
almost mind to ride back supplicate for
the threatened ablution at the town-pump; for.
though not meant IN kindness. 1t would now
have been deed OF charity.
However. the sun shone bright poor Do
min!cus. and tho mud--an emblem OF all stains
OF urdese-ved opprobrium-was easily brushed
on when dry. Being funny rogue his heart
eoon checred up. could he refrain from a
hearty laugh at the uproar which his story
had excited. The handbls OF tho selectmen
would cause the commitment OF all the vaya-
bonds In the State. the paragraph in the Parker's
Falls Gazette would be reprinted from Maine to
Florida. and perhaps form Item in the Lon
don newspapers md many a miser would trem-
bic for his money bags and life on learning the
catastrophe OF Mr.. H!gg!nbotham. The peddler
meditated with much fervor the charms OF
the young school,ristress. and swore that Daniel
webster never spoke looked so like an an
gel as Miss Eiggi nbotham while defending him
from me Wrathful popUlace at Parker's Falls
Dominlcu5 was now on the Kimbalton turn
pike. having all along determined to visit that
place. though business had drawn him out OF
the most direct road from Morristown AS he
approached the scene OF the supposed murder
ne continued 10 revolve tho circumstances In
his mind and was astonished at tho aspect which
the whole case assumed. Had nothing occurred
10 corroborate the story OF the hrst traveller IL
might now have been considered a hoax: bur
the yellow man was evidently acquainted either
with the report the fact. and there was n
mystery in his dismayed and guilty look on be-
Ing abruptly questioned
When this singular combination a, ,nc,
dents 1t was added that the rumor tailed er
act!y with Ny Higginbotham's character and
habits OF life and that he had an orchard and
81. M!chaeis pear tree. near which he ALWAYS
passed at niEhtfall the circurns tantial evidence
appeared so strong that Dominicus doubted
whether the autograph produced by the LAWYER
or even tho nieces direct testimony ought TO he
equivalent Making cautious inquiries along tho