He then laid his pocket-book 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 millmen
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.
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