like speeches in the most rapid succession, until all was again
confusion; and the voice of the lawyer, after a hundred ineffectual
efforts at a hearing, degenerated into a fine squeak, and terminated at
last in a violent fit of coughing, that fortunately succeeded in
producing the degree of quiet around him to secure which his language
had, singularly enough, entirely failed. For a moment the company ceased
its clamor, out of respect to the chairman's cough; and, having cleared
his throat with the contents of a tumbler of Monongahela which seemed to
stand permanently full by his side, he recommenced the proceedings; the
offender, in the meantime, standing mute and motionless, now almost
stupified with terror, conscious of repeated offences, knowing perfectly
the reckless spirit of those who judged him, and hopeless of escape from
their hands, without, in the country phrase, the loss at least of "wing
and tail feathers." The chairman with due gravity began:--

"Jared Bunce--is that your name?"

"Why, lawyer, I can't deny that I have gone by that name, and I guess
it's the right name for me to go by, seeing that I was christened Jared,
after old Uncle Jared Withers, that lives down at Dedham, in the state
of Massachusetts. He did promise to do something for me, seeing I was
named after him, but he ha'n't done nothing yet, no how. Then the name
of Bunce, you see, lawyer, I got from my father, his name being Bunce,
too, I guess."

"Well, Jared Bunce, answer to the point, and without circumlocution. You
have heard some of the charges against you. Having taken them down in
short-hand, I will repeat them."

The pedler approached a few steps, advanced one leg, raised a hand to