All 3 Uses

contingency
in
The House of the Seven Gables
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He had no burden of care upon him; there were none of those questions and contingencies with the future to be settled which wear away all other lives, and render them not worth having by the very process of providing for their support.†
Chpt 11 *

contingencies = things that might happen; or things available in case events happen
Judge Pyncheon's neck is too precious to be risked on such a contingency as a stumbling steed.†
Chpt 18

contingency = something that might happen; or something available in case an event occurs
In most other cases and contingencies, the individual is present among us, mixed up with the daily revolution of affairs, and affording a definite point for observation.†
Chpt 21

contingencies = things that might happen; or things available in case events happen

Definitions:

(1) (contingency)
a possible event, especially one people hope will not happen, or the extra plan or resources kept ready in case that event does happen
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)