ates to the State
convention, the Honorable Misther Schlurger, our distinguished
representative in the Assembly, the Honorable Misther Kennedy, our noble
Police-commissioner, an' Misther Caggs, whom it would be insult for me
to praise in this company."

"Second the motion," said some one.

"Mr. Chairman," shouted a man.

"That's Caggs," said the enrolling officer.

"Mr. Caggs," said Peter.

"Mr. Chairman," said Caggs. "I must decline the honor offered me from
such a source."

"What?" shrieked Dennis, amazement and rage contesting for first place
in voice and expression.

"Mr. Chairman," said Dummer.

"Mr. Dummer," said Peter.

"I have the honor to nominate the Honorable Justice Gallagher, Mr. Peter
Sweeney, and Mr. Caggs, to whom Mr. Moriarty has just paid so glowing a
tribute, as delegates to the State convention."

"Second the--" shouted some one, but the rest was drowned by another
storm which swept through the room. Even above the tumult, Peter could
hear Dennis challenging and beseeching Mr. Caggs to come "outside an'
settle it like gentlemen." Caggs, from a secure retreat behind
Blunkers's right arm, declined to let the siren's song tempt him forth.
Finally Peter's pounding brought a degree of quiet again.

"Misther Chairman," said Dennis.

"Mr. Moriarty," said Peter.

"Misther Chairman. Oi'll not take the valuable time av this meetin' to
speak av dirty, cowardly, black-hearted, treacherous snakes, wid souls
blacker than the divil's own--"

"Order!" said Peter to the crowd.

"No," continued Dennis, in answer to the audible remarks of the
opposition. "It's no names Oi'm callin'. If yez know such a beast, such
a snake, fit it to him. Oi'm mentionin' no names. As Oi was sayin',
Misther Chairman, Oi'll not waste the time av this meetin' wid
discribin' the conduct av a beast so vile that he must be the contempt
av every honest man. Who would have been driven out by St. Patrick, wid
the rest av the reptiles, if he'd lived at that time. Oi only rise to
widdraw the name av Caggs from the list Oi nominated for delegates to
the state convention, an' to put in place av it that av a man who is as
noble an' true, as some are false an' divilish. That of Misther Peter
Stirling, God bless him!"

Once more chaos came. Peter pounded in vain. Both sides were at fever
heat. Finally Peter rose.

"Gentlemen," he shouted, in a voice that rang through the hall above
even the tumult, "if this meeting does not come