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 mill-men 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. Addressing a few words of heartfelt
gratitude to his benefactress, he mounted the green cart and rode out
of town under a discharge of artillery from the schoolboys, who found
plenty of ammunition in the neighboring clay-pits and mud-holes. As he
turned his head to exchange a farewell glance with Mr. Higginbotham's
niece a ball of the consistence of hasty-pudding hit him slap in the
mouth, giving him a most grim aspect. His whole person was so
bespattered with the like filthy missiles that he had almost a mind to
ride back and supplicate for the threatened ablution at the town-pump;
for, though not meant in kindness, it would now have been a deed of
charity.

However, the sun shone bright on poor Dominicus, and the mud--an
emblem of all stains of undeserved opprobrium--was easily brushed off
when dry. Being a funny rogue, his heart soon cheered up; nor could he
refrain from a hearty laugh at the uproar which his story had excited.
The handbills of the selectmen would cause the commitment of all the