than it is worth," said the
old lady.

"Madam, I leave it to your own conscience! You shall give me just what
you think it's worth."

"Humph! that's too fair by half! I begin to think this fellow is worse
than he seems!" said Capitola to herself.

After a little hesitation a price was agreed upon and the dress bought.

Then the servants received permission to invest their little change in
ribbons, handkerchiefs, tobacco, snuff, or whatever they thought they
needed. When the purchases were all made and the peddler had done up his
diminished pack and replaced his hat upon his head and was preparing to
leave, Mrs. Condiment said:

"My good man, it is getting very late, and we do not like to see a
traveler leave our house at this hour--pray remain until morning, and
then, after an early breakfast, you can pursue your way in safety."

"Thank you kindly, ma'am, but I must be far on my road to-night," said
the peddler.

"But, my good man, you are a stranger in this part of the country and
don't know the danger you run," said the housekeeper.

"Danger, ma'am, in this quiet country?"

"Oh, dear, yes, my good man, particularly with your valuable pack--oh,
my good gracious!" cried the old lady, with an appalled look.

"Indeed, ma'am, you--you make me sort of uneasy! What danger can there
be for a poor, peaceful peddler pursuing his path?"

"Oh, my good soul, may heaven keep you from--Black Donald!"

"Black Donald--who's he?"

"Oh, my good man, he's the awfullest villain that ever went unhung!"

"Black Donald? Black Donald? Never heard that name before in my life?
Why is the fellow called Black Donald?"

"Oh, sir, he's called Black Donald for his black soul, black deeds
and--and--also, I believe, for his jet black hair and beard."

"'Oh, my countrymen, what a falling up was there,'" exclaimed Capitola
at this anti-climax.

"And how shall I keep from meeting this villain?" asked the peddler.

"Oh, sir, how can I tell you? You never can form an idea where he is or
where he isn't! Only think, he may be in our midst any time, and we not
know it! Why, only yesterday the desperate villain handcuffed the very
sheriff in the very courtyard! Yet I wonder the sheriff did not know him
at once! For my own part, I'm sure I should know Black Donald the minute
I clapped my two looking eyes on him!"

"Should you, ma'am?"

"Yes, indeed, by his long, black hair and beard! They say it is half a
yard long--now a man of such a