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The whole course of the world's history might have been different, if one little Socialist machinist from Leesville, U.S.A., had not chanced to be wandering through "Bellow Wood" in search of a fabulous and never-discovered "Botteree Normb Cott!" But these exultations and glory-thoughts were reserved for a later stage of Jimmie Higgins's life.
But before the ice was out of the river disquieting rumors began to breathe out of Higgins's Bridge. They were the meerest vapor of conjecture at first, apparently based upon no evidence whatever, but friends delighted to convey them to Scattergood, as friends always delight to perform such a disagreeable duty.
The sum of his borrowing mounted and mounted, until, before the arrival of spring, his credit had been strained to the uttermost. Nor had the pulp company been idle. Its new mills had arisen beside the river at Higgins's Bridge, machinery had been installed, and the little hamlet was beginning to speculate in town lots and to look forward to unexampled prosperity.
The house was situated in "Phinney's Lane," the crooked little byway off "Cross Street," between the "Shore Road" at the foot of the slope and the "Hill Boulevard" formerly "Higgins's Roost" at the top. From the Phinney gate the view was extensive and, for the most part, wet.
Yes, this explained everything. And, on the whole, it seemed to speak in Louise's favour. Her ridicule of Mr. Bowling's person and character became, in this new light, a proof of desire to resist her inclinations. She had only yielded when it was certain that Miss Higgins's former lover had quite thrown off his old allegiance, and when no good could be done by self-sacrifice.
Necessity had located them, for nowhere else along the valley was there flat land upon which even the tiniest village could find a resting place. These were Bailey, Tupper Falls, and Higgins's Bridge.
He was anxious and worried, and even the news of Gertie Higgins's runaway marriage, brought to him by Obed Gott, who having been so recently the victim of another unexpected matrimonial alliance was wickedly happy over the postmaster's discomfiture, did not interest him greatly. "Well, I wonder who'll be the next couple," speculated Obed.
As to the giving the pig, that was a serious business; and David felt hot and shy, and wanted to get it over as soon as possible without a fuss. So he bolted into Mrs. Higgins's cottage, put his hands behind his back, and spoke thus: "Please, Mrs. Higgins, put your pig-sty in order!
There was a scuffle, and then terrified moans, which died away. There began to steal into the Higgins's bedroom a most ghastly odour; they could not imagine what it was. And then they began to hear wild clamour from Lacey Granitch, as if he were suffering in hell.
"It's Scattergood Baines, all right. Don't call to mind bein' christened Mister." "My name is Blossom." "Perty name," said Scattergood, unsmilingly. "I wonder if I can have a little talk with you, Mr. Baines?" "Havin' it, hain't you?" Mr. Blossom smiled appreciatively, and sat down beside Scattergood. "I'm interested in the new Higgins's Bridge Pulp Company. You've heard of it, haven't you?"
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