e not forget that I have been looking for
you this hour or two; here is a letter I got for you in! the
post-office this morning. It has Vanston's frank, and I think is in his
handwriting."

M'Mahon's face, on perusing the letter, beamed with animation and
delight. "Here, Hycy," said he, "read that; I'm safe yet, thank God, and
not a ruined man, as the villains thought to make me."

"By my soul and honor, Bryan," exclaimed the other, "that is noble on
the part of Vanston, especially towards an individual from whom, as
well as from his whole family, he has ever experienced the strongest
opposition. However, if I were in your coat, I certainly would not
suffer him to outdo me in generosity. Good heavens! only contrast such
conduct with that of the other scoundrel, his opponent, and then see the
conclusion you must come to."

"Let Vanston be what he may, he's an honest man," replied Bryan, "and
in less than ten minutes I'll have him the sittin' member. I would be
ungrateful and ungenerous, as you say, Hycy, not to do so. Come
along--come along, I bid you. I don't care what they say. The man that
saved me--who was his enemy--from ruin, will have my vote."

They accordingly proceeded towards the court house, and on their way
Hycy addressed him as follows:--"Now, Bryan, in order to give your
conduct an appearance of greater generosity, I will pretend to dissuade
you against voting for Vanston, or, rather, I will endeavor, as it were,
to get your vote for Chevydale. This will make the act more manly and
determined on your part, and consequently one much more high-minded and
creditable to your reputation. You will show them, besides, that you are
not the cowardly slave of your landlord."

It was accordingly so managed; the enthusiastic gratitude of the young
man overcame all considerations; and in a few minutes Major Vanston was
declared by the sheriff duly elected, by a majority of one vote only.

It is no part of our intention to describe the fierce sensation which
this victory created among the greater portion of the people. The tumult
occasioned by their indignation and fury was outrageous and ruffianly as
usual; but as the election had now terminated, it soon ceased, and the
mobs began to disperse to their respective homes. Bryan for some three
hours or so was under the protection of the military, otherwise he would
have been literally torn limb from limb. In the mean time we must follow
Hycy.

This worthy and strai