inciples of the Democratic party
represent--er, well, they represent the principles which that great
party stands for, and the principles of the Republican party, ahem! Yes,
sir, gentlemen, the principles of the Republican party represent the
principles for which the Democratic party won't stand! So there you have
it, and I defy any man to dispute this argument. I will not go into
discussion of its principles here. I have sought public preferment at
the hands of my party, but 'Ego, spembat pretio nionemonio,' sometimes
that preferment was accorded, at least, upon one occasion. No man has a
right to complain when, under any form of government, the people
withhold their indorsement, but every citizen has a right to complain if
the downfall of an aspirant is accomplished by foul and unfair means,"
(this last statement was made while looking toward Freeman). "I have
passed practically all of my life in your midst. A man should be honest,
with a courage to face the great truths opening to him."

Freeman interrupted him at this point, "A man should be courageous
enough to own his own children!"

"You sneaking hypocrite!" shouted Doctor Hissong, "You let one of your
own sisters die in poverty and distress!"

"You are a damned liar!" said Freeman.

Doctor Hissong leaped from the stand, a derringer in his hand. The crowd
fell back. Freeman fired point-blank at Hissong, but missed, then turned
to run. Doctor Hissong brought up his derringer and pulled the trigger.
Old Brad shouted, "You got him in de laig, doctah, but he runnin' yit!"
Freeman's son, Henry, the one who kicked Coaly that day in school,
caught up his father's pistol which had fallen to the ground, but as he
turned toward Doctor Hissong, Shawn sprang forward, knocking the
revolver from his hand.

The older men separated the younger combatants, and the crowd broke up
and turned homeward.

CHAPTER XV

The town marshall of Skarrow was a very busy man the next morning after
the burgoo, serving warrants on Doctor Hissong and Freeman, summoning
witnesses and a jury, and getting men to serve on a jury in a small
town, where two of its foremost citizens are to stand trial, is a matter
of considerable difficulty. Freeman had only received a slight flesh
wound, and was not confined to his home.

Court was held in the office of Judge Budlong, who acted as prosecuting
attorney, magistrate, writer of wills and general collector of accounts
and rents. An occasion