his bar--and there's a law in
the State constitution that makes selling rum a jail offence. But you
don't see him in jail, do you?"

Astonishment that changed to fury nearly paralyzed the honorable
chairman's tongue while Niles proceeded that far. When he did find his
voice to protest, the War Eagle turned from him to the Duke like one who
finds a weapon in each hand and becomes reckless.

"And no one sees you coming up and paying taxes on what you're really
worth. It's all: 'You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours!' among the
big fellows in this State. You can break all the laws you want to if
you're in the right ring. And it's going to have a stop put to it!"

"Go ahead, Ivus!" encouraged his object of attack.

"If she's as sick as all that, she needs medicine quick. Get out your
dose."

"The people is going to be reckoned with now," declaimed Niles, banging
his knotted fist against the boarding.

"You mean of course The People--spelled with a capital T and a capital
P, the same as you see it in those reform newspapers you've mentioned!
Now, boys, I want you all to listen to me just one moment. You know I'm
no hand to make speeches. But just let's talk this over. It'll take only
a jiffy. There's a little time to kill while we're getting this caucus
started _regular_. Now, some of these newspaper editors, who never get
anywhere out of their offices except home to dinner, are writing a lot
just now about THE PEOPLE--in capital letters, understand! Talking about
'em like as though they were a great force in politics--always organized
and ready to support reform. Only needed to be called on. Fellows like
Ivus here, that read and read and never bump up next to real things
outside, get to think that The People make up an angel band that's all
ready to march right up to the ballot-box and vote for just the right
thing. Only have to be called on!"

The voters were crowding closer and listening. There was a half-smile on
his face while he talked. He was not patronizing. But he took them into
his confidence with simple directness.

"Boys, I don't know where you'll go to find that angel band!"

"The people of this State are gettin' woke up enough to know!" cried a
voice. The man stepped forward. It was Davis. "I say to you again, Mr.
Thornton, don't put us all on the plane of Ivus Niles."

The Duke was not ruffled by the interruption.

"Walt, I've been in politics a good many years. I was in the House in
this State