enches hacked and carved like
the desks of a country schoolhouse. Nothing could be more barren, more
desolate. It had nothing to relieve it save the beautiful stains of
color that seemed thrown upon the windows by the crimson and orange
maples which stood in the yard.

They found the room full of delegates, among whom there was going on a
great deal of excited conversation. From a side room near the Judge's
bench there issued, from time to time, messengers who came out among
the general mob, and invited certain flattered and useful delegates to
come in and meet with the central committee. There was plainly a
division in the house.

"The rusty cusses are on their ears to-day," said Milton, "and there's
going to be fun." His blue eyes were beaming with laughter, and his
quick wit kept those who were within hearing on the broad grin.

"Goin' to down 'em t' day?" he asked of Councill.

"We're goin' t' try."

In one dishonest way or another the ring had kept its hold upon the
county, notwithstanding all criticism, and now came to the struggle
with smiling confidence. They secured the chairman by the ready-made
quick vote, by acclamation for re-election. The president then
appointed the committee upon credentials and upon nominations, and the
work of the convention was opened.

The committee on nominations, in due course presented its slate as
usual, but here the real battle began. Bradley suddenly found himself
tense with interest. His ancestry must have been a race of orators and
politicians, for the atmosphere of the convention roused him till it
transformed him.

Here was the real thing. No mere debate, but a fight. There was battle
in the air, now blue with smoke and rank with the reek of tobacco.
There was fight in the poise of the grizzled heads and rusty, yellow
shoulders of the farmers who had now fallen into perfect silence. In
looking over them one might have been reminded of a field of
yellow-gray boulders.

Colonel Russell moved the election of the entire slate, as presented by
the nominating committee, in whom, he said, the convention had the
utmost confidence. Four or five farmers sprang to their feet instantly
and Osmond Deering got the floor. When he began speaking the loafers in
the gallery stopped their chewing in excess of interest. He was one of
the most influential men in the county.

"Mr. President," he began in his mild way, "I don't want to seem
captious about this matter, but I want to re