influence the immediate future of a number of persons, thus affording
a fresh illustration of the mysterious workings of "Providence,"
sometimes called "Divine."




Chapter V


There existed in Brookville two separate and distinct forums for the
discussion of topics of public and private interest. These were the
barroom of the village tavern, known as the Brookville House, and
Henry Daggett's General Store, located on the corner opposite the old
Bolton Bank Building. Mr. Daggett, besides being Brookville's leading
merchant, was also postmaster, and twice each day withdrew to the
official privacy of the office for the transaction of United States
business. The post office was conveniently located in one corner of
Mr. Daggett's store and presented to the inquiring eye a small glass
window, which could be raised and lowered at will by the person
behind the partition, a few numbered boxes and a slit, marked
"Letters."

In the evening of the day on which Miss Lydia Orr had visited the old
Bolton house in company with Deacon Whittle, both forums were in full
blast. The wagon-shed behind the Brookville House sheltered an
unusual number of "rigs," whose owners, after partaking of liquid
refreshment dispensed by the oily young man behind the bar, by common
consent strolled out to the veranda where a row of battered wooden
armchairs invited to reposeful consideration of the surprising events