he bass, he was relieved of the unpleasant
notoriety of being summoned into court on a warrant by the very
charitable act of Mr. Scranton, of Monterey, who will forever go
down in the history of that town as the stalwart defender of the
ex-president."

It is not conceivable that such a ridiculous display of
impecunious justice would be made elsewhere in the country. In the
South the judge would dismiss the complainant or pay the fine
himself; in the West he would be mobbed if he did not. New York
would find a tactful and courteous way of avoiding the semblance
of an arrest or the imposition of a fine; but in thrifty
Massachusetts, and in thrice thrifty Great Barrington, and in
twice thrice thrifty Pittsfield, pennies count, are counted, and
most conscientiously received and receipted for by those who set
the wheels of justice in motion.

North Street is broad and West Street is broad, and there is
abundance of room for man and beast.

At the hour in question there were no women, children, or horses
in the street; the crossings were clear save for a young man with
a straw hat, whose general appearance betrayed no sign of undue
timidity. He was on the far crossing, sixty or seventy feet
distant. When the horn was sounded for the turn down into West
Street, he turned, gave one look at the machine, jumped, and ran.
In a few moments the young man with the straw hat came to the
place where the machine had stopped. He was followed by a short,
stubby little friend with a sandy beard, who, while apparently
acting as second, threatened each moment to take the matter into
his own hands and usurp the place of principal.

Straw Hat was placable and quite disposed to accept an expression
of regret that fright had been occasioned.

Sandy Beard would not have it so, and urged Straw Hat to make a
complaint.

Straw Hat spurred on his flagging indignation and asked for a
card.

Sandy Beard told Straw Hat not to be deterred by soft words and
civility, and promised to stand by him, or rather back of him;
whereupon something like the following might have occurred.

Sandy Beard.--Then you know what is to be done?

Straw Hat.--Not I, upon my soul!

Sandy Beard.--We wear no clubs here, but you understand me.

Straw Hat.--What! arrest him.

Sandy Beard.--Why to be sure; what can I mean else?

Straw Hat.--But he has given me no provocation.

Sandy Beard.--Now, I think he has given you the greatest
provocation in the world. Ca