for decency and good government, and I know that the common people of the State—­of whom I have the honour to be one—­demand these things.  I cannot say as much for the so-called prominent citizens,” said Mr. Crewe, glancing about him; “not one of your prominent citizens in Ripton would venture to offend the powers that be by consenting to introduce me to-night, or dared come into this theatre and take seats within thirty feet of this platform.”  Here Mr. Crewe let his eyes rest significantly on the eleven empty rows, while his hearers squirmed in terrified silence at this audacity.  Even the Ripton women knew that this was high treason beneath the walls of the citadel, and many of them glanced furtively at the strangely composed daughter of Augustus P. Flint.

“I will show you that I can stand on my own feet,” Mr. Crewe continued.  “I will introduce myself.  I am Humphrey Crewe of Leith, and I claim to have added something to the welfare and prosperity of this State, and I intend to add more before I have finished.”

At this point, as might have been expected, spontaneous applause broke forth, originating in the right-hand stage box.  Here was a daring defiance indeed, a courage of such a high order that it completely carried away the ladies and drew reluctant plaudits from the male element.  “Give it to ’em, Humphrey!” said one of those who happened to be sitting next to Miss Flint, and who received a very severe pinch in the arm in consequence.

“I thank the gentleman,” answered Mr. Crewe, “and I propose to —­(Handclapping and sachet.) I propose to show that you spend something like two hundred thousand dollars a year to elect legislators and send ’em to the capital, when the real government of your State is in a room in the Pelican Hotel known as the Railroad Room, and the real governor is a citizen of your town, the Honourable Hilary Vane, who sits there and acts for his master, Mr. Augustus P. Flint of New York.  And I propose to prove to you that, before the Honourable Adam B. Hunt appeared as that which has come to be known as the ‘regular’ candidate, Mr. Flint sent for him to go to New York and exacted certain promises from him.  Not that it was necessary, but the Northeastern Railroads never take any chances.  (Laughter.) The Honourable Adam B. Hunt is what they call a ‘safe’ man, meaning by that a man who will do what Mr. Flint wants him to do.  While I am not ‘safe’ because I have dared to defy them in your name, and will do what the people want me to do. (Clapping and cheers from a gentleman in the darkness, afterwards identified as Mr. Tooting.) Now, my friends, are you going to continue to allow a citizen of New York to nominate your governors, and do you intend, tamely, to give the Honourable Adam B. Hunt your votes?”

“They ain’t got any votes,” said a voice—­not that of Mr. Hastings Weare, for it came from the depths of the gallery.

“‘The hand that rocks the cradle sways the world,’” answered Mr. Crewe, and there was no doubt about the sincerity of the applause this time.