But unexpected evidence was forthcoming. The young lady, after
listening to the pedlar'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.
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