ose few are spotted," emphasized he
threateningly. "Therefore, gentlemen," proceeded he insinuatingly, "I
am convinced, and every man of intelligence shares my conviction, that
Mr. Shund is eminently fitted for the city council--eminently! He would
be a splendid acquisition in behalf of the public interests! He
understands our local concerns thoroughly, possesses the experience of
many years, is conversant with business, knows what industrial pursuits
and social life require, and, what is better still, he maintains an
independent standing to which he unites a rare degree of activity. Were
it possible to prevail on Mr. Shund to take upon himself the cares of
the mayoralty, the deficit of the city treasury would soon be wiped
out. We would all have reason to consider ourselves fortunate in seeing
the interests of our city confided to such a man."

The "wild men" looked perplexed.

"Right enough, Mr. Spitzkopf," explained a timid coppersmith. "Shund is
a clever, well-informed man. Nobody denies this. But do you know that
it is a question whether, besides his clever head, he also possesses a
conscience in behalf of the commonwealth?"

"The most enlarged sort of a conscience, gentlemen--the warmest kind of
a heart!" exclaimed the bald man in a convincing tone. "Don't listen to
stories that circulate concerning Shund. There is not a word of truth
in them. They are sheer misconstructions--inventions of the priests and
of their helots."

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Spitzkopf, they are not all inventions,"
opposed the coppersmith. "In the street where I live, Shund keeps up a
certain connection that would not be proper for any decent person, not
to say for a married man."

"And does that scandalize you?" exclaimed the bald-headed agent
merrily. "Mr. Shund is a jovial fellow, he enjoys life, and is rich.
Mr. Shund will not permit religious rigorism to put restraints upon his
enjoyments. His liberal and independent spirit scorns to lead a
miserable existence under the rod of priestly bigotry. And, mark ye,
gentlemen, this is just what recommends him to all who are not
priest-ridden or leagued with the hirelings of Rome," concluded the
electioneer, casting a sharp look upon the coppersmith.

"But I am a Lutheran, Mr. Spitzkopf," protested the coppersmith.

"There are hypocrites among the Lutherans who are even worse than the
Romish Jesuits," retorted the man with the bald head. "Consider,
gentlemen, that the leading men of our