ant. "Mr. Chairman," he said,
penetratingly.

"Mr. Mason."

"While I appreciate, sir, the fortitude, the patience, of the men who
have been waiting outside the gates of emolument so long, I want to say
distinctly, that if that slate is not broken, we'll all wait outside
the gates of emolument twenty years longer. But I want to say further,
Mr. Chairman, that the strength of this new movement is in its freedom
from spoils-seeking; is in its independence from the old party lines.
Its strength is in its appeal to the farmer, in its support of his war
against unjust tariff and against railway domination. Its strength also
is in its appeal to the young men of this county, sir."

Applause showed that the young orator had his audience with him. He was
a small man, but his voice was magnificent, and his oratory powerful,
self-contained, full of telling points.

"If we win, gentlemen of this convention," he said, turning, "we must
put at the head of this movement a man who is absolutely
incorruptible--a man who can command the granger vote, the temperance
vote, the young man's vote, and the Independent vote. That man"--

"Mr. Chairman," snarled Colonel Peavy, rising with impressive dignity
and drawing his coat around him with ominous deliberation.

"Colonel Peavy," acknowledged the chairman.

"Mr. Chairman," shouted young Mason, "I have the floor. I deny the
right of your recognition of another member while I'm speaking."

"Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of information," said the Colonel.

"State your point, Colonel."

"I would like to ask this young gentleman who holds the floor how many
votes he has cast in his whole life."

Young Mason colored with anger, but his voice was cool and decisive.
"For the gentleman's information, Mr. Chairman, I will say that I have
voted once, but that vote entitles me to stand here as a delegate, and
I have the floor."

The delegates were mainly with young Mason, and the Colonel sat down
grimly in the midst of the Old Guard. Milton and Bradley, sitting
together, rejoiced in the glorious attitude of the young champion, who
went on--

"I say, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, that we cannot win this election on
old party lines. I'm a Democrat." (Applause.) "But we are not strong
enough as a party in this district to elect, and I'm willing to work
with the Independents. There is just one man who can be elected from
this convention. He is a young man; he is sound on the tariff; he is an