a violent effort, controlling his passion, he said:

"I trust the Lord has forgiven me the sin."

"I hope he has," said Tom, "and seems to me it would be a good thing
for Squire Miller to follow his example."

"Suppose you tell him so," said Davenport, sarcastically.

"Well, seeing as how you're so pressing," said Gladding "I don't care
if I do. Squire," he cried, addressing the Justice, and drawing the
attention of all to himself, "here's Squire Davenport says, he expects
the Lord's forgive his cussing and swearing, and thinks you'd better
do as well by Father Holden, and let him run."

A general shout of laughter greeted this speech of Gladding's, and
there were exclamations of "Well said, Tom," and "He had him, there,"
and "Who would have thought that of Davenport?"

The unfortunate victim glared, with fury in his eyes, at Tom, who,
interpreting his looks to suit himself, cried--

"He's coming, Squire, to speak for himself."

Davenport here protested, he had said no such thing, and that it was a
shame he should be abused by a scurrilous fellow, in such a manner.

"What's that you say?" said Gladding, stepping up to Davenport; "I'm
no more squirrilous, than you are yourself; though, for that matter,
there ain't a squirrel on a walnut tree, but would be ashamed to be
seen in your company,--squirrilous fellow, eh!"

"Silence!" cried the Justice. "Mister Gladding, I must say, I think
such language very improper; and I hope, if you expect to remain here,
you will stop it."

"Squire," said Gladding, "he begun it; I'll leave it to the company,
if he didn't first call me a squirrel."

"Silence!" reiterated the Justice; "we must have order; and, if you
don't choose to observe order, you must leave the room."

"You hain't opened court yet," persisted the pertinacious Tom. "I
guess we know our rights."

Here Basset came up to Tom, and, taking him by the arm, whispered a
few words into his ear. They seemed to be of a sedative character,
for the latter, contenting himself with an occasional glance of
mischievous fun at his late opponent, abstained from further remark.

By this time, the subpoena for the witnesses had been returned, and
the persons summoned made their appearance. The overt act was so
notorious, that it had not been considered necessary to summon many,
and the few needed were soon hunted up. Hereupon, Mr. Ketchum having
intimated a readiness, on the part of the State, to proceed, Mr.
Tippit, afte