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

road tho poddler further learned that Mr Hs
sinbotham had in his service Icishman Of
doubtful character. whom he had hired without
recommendation. the score or economy.
May 90 hanged myself" exclaimed DoInini-
Gus Pike. aloud. on reaching the top of n lonely
h ha5xed ID II, believe old H;gginbosham Is
hear It from his own mouth And. as he's a real
shaver. III have tho minister or some othec
responsible man. for endorser."
IT was growing dusk when he reached tns
toll house kirnballton turnpike about 4
quarter OF mile from the village OF this name
ais little marc was fast bringing him up with
man on horseback who trotted through mo
sa'e few rods in advance Of him. nodded to
me toll-gatherer and kept on toward the VII
age Dominicus was acquainted with tho toll
man. and while making change the usual re-
marks on the weather passed between them
suppose" said the peddler. throwing back
MS wh!plash to bring 1t down like a feather on
me mares flank. you have not anythine,
- &c MT HlSginho than within day or two =
Yes. answered the toll gatherer: 'he passed
.ne cato just before you drove up and yonder
ne rides now. IL you can see him through tba
dusk. Hes been to Woodheld this afternoon at
tending shern's sale there. The old man gem
orally shakes hands and has little chat with
me gu, TO- night he nodded as II to say. Charge
my ION. and logged on: for. wherever no goes
he must always DO at homo by eight o'clock"
SO they tell me-" said Dogninicus
i never saw look so yellow and th,r
as 'ae squire does" continued the toll-qatherer
says to myself tonight He's moro Tx. a
blood ~
The peddIer strained his eyes through tn.
twilight and could Just discern the horser,an
now far ahead the village road He seem.a
TO recognize tho OF Mr.. HiCginbotharn hut
through the evening shadows and amid the duYt
from tho horses feet the figure appeared dim
ana unsubstantial as II the shape of the rnys-
terious old were family nodded OF aark
ness and gray light
Dominicus shivered- Mr.. Hggin ootham ha,
I'm, oack from tho other world by way OF the
himballton turnpike" thought he Ho shoot-
rod
Same distance in tho rear OF tho gray ols
shadow III the latter was concealed b. a bend
q ,he road on reaching this point the peddlor
no longer saw the man horse back but found
himself at the head OF tho village street NOT
iaF from number OF stores and two taverns
clustered round the meeting house stecple on
ms ieft was a stone wall and gate tho boun
oary OF a wood-lot beyond which Law an orcb,ra
FARTHER still moving fold, and last Of Mi a
mouse. These were the premises OF AR Higgin-
oo'nan. whose dwelling stood beside the old
highway. but had been left in the background
by the kimballton turnpike
po'ninicus knew the place and the little mara
stopped short by instinct. for he was not con,
hcious OF tightening tho rcins For the s,1,
OF mo. cannot get BY this GATE" said ne t-en
ping Il never shall be my own man again ,;l
see whether Mr. HiSginbotham is hanging m
the St Mchael's pear tree" IIe ,eaned Fra,,
tho cart gave the rein turn round the gate
posi- and ran along the green path OF tho
wood-lot as IL Old Nick were chasing behind
Just then tho village clock tolled eight and as
each deep stroke fell Dominicus gave a fresh
hound and few faster than before tin dim in
me soltary centre OF the orchard. he saw the
.ateo pear tree One great branch stretched
from the old contorted trunk across tho n,.h
ano threw the darkest shadow on that one snot
but something seemed struggle beneath ria
branch. 40
The pedder had never pretended "a MIA
$50 'haa nents man of peaceable occuoa-
1on nor could he account for his valor on mi.
pated ITS regular day or publication ard CANA
no rusned forward. Frustrated sturdy irish
man with the outt-end OF his whip and found
NOT indeed hanging the ST. M!chael,s near
'Fee' Out trem bling beneath it with halter
round his neck-the old Identical Mr Hipptn
botham
MI. Higginhotham." said Dominicus tramu
iousiy you're an honest man. and II! take yonr
"oIo Tor 1t Have you been hanged or not?.
II the riddle be not already guessed a row
words VIII explain the simple machinery nv
which this coming event" was mad. n 80,
KS SHADOW before" Three men had plotted
tne robbery and murder or Mr. Hirrinho,b,m.
'wo OF them successfully lost courage n nd aej'
each Delaying the crime ono night nv thar ale
appearance; tho third was IN tho nct ., ,n-
petration when a champion. blindly obeytnr ma
e1ti OF rate IKE the heroes OF old romance ap-
peaFeo IN the person OF Dominicus Pike
~ only remains to say that Nj. HigSinhoth,n
TOOK tho peddler into high favor sanctioned 49,
utessos 70 the pretty schoolmlstress and SET.
.ieo ms whole property on their chtldren a.
to"ihs themselves the interest IN duo I'm,
no oio gentleman capped the climax OF he ~,
W oS oyihs Christian death In bed. So,
""'e" melancholy event Domin!cus Piko ~
removed from Kimballton and estabI,s, ''"S
60 'ooa1co mandatory In my native yt,l,r