to order, I shall
declare it adjourned."

Instant quiet fell, for all had paused a moment to hear his words, and
they concluded that he was in earnest.

"Was the last motion seconded?" asked the chairman calmly.

"I seconded it," shouted Blackett and Milligan together.

"You have heard the nominations, gentlemen. Has any one any remarks to
make?"

A man next Justice Gallagher said, "Mr. Chairman," and being duly
recognized, proceeded to talk for ten minutes in a very useless way. But
during this time, Peter noticed first a good deal of whispering among
Blunkers's friends, and then an interview between Gallagher and Dennis.
The latter was apparently not reconcilable, and shook his head in a way
that meant war. Then there was more consultation between the opposition,
and another confab with Dennis, with more headshakes on his part.
Finally a compromise having been evidently made impossible, the orator
was "called down" and it was voted to proceed to an election. Peter
named one of the firemen, Dooley, and Blunkers, tellers, who, after a
ballot, announced that Dennis had carried his nominations, Peter heading
the list with two hundred and twelve votes, and the others getting one
hundred and seventy-two, and one hundred and fifty-eight respectively.
The "snake" got but fifty-seven votes.

"Shure," said Dennis, later, "maybe we don't vote for convictions here,
but we don't vote for the likes av him!"

"Then you are voting for convictions," said Peter.

"It's yezself is the convictions then," said Dennis.

Perhaps he was right.

CHAPTER XX.

A POLITICAL DEBUT.

Peter declared the meeting adjourned as soon as the results of the
election had been read, and slipped away in the turmoil that immediately
followed, without a word to any one. He was in truth not
bewildered--because he had too much natural poise and phlegm--but he was
surprised by the suddenness of it all, and wanted to think before
talking with others. So he took advantage of the mutual bickerings and
recriminations which seemed the order of the day, to get back to his
office, and there he sat, studying his wall for a time. Then he went to
bed, and slept as quickly and as calmly as if he had spent his evening
in reading the "Modern Cottage Architecture" or "Questions de
Sociologie," which were on his table instead of presiding at a red-hot
primary, and being elected a delegate.

The next morning Dennis came to see him as early as well could b