Part 26 (2/2)

When silence finally came, in spite of Maguire's, ”Mr. Chairman,” that individual said, ”Mr. Stirling.”

Peter began in a low voice, ”In rising, Mr. Chairman, to second the nomination of Mr. Porter, I feel that it would be idle in me to praise one so well known to all of us, even if he had not just been the subject of so appreciative a speech from my colleague--”

Here cries of ”louder” interrupted Peter, during which interruption Green said to Costell, ”We've been tricked.”

”I'm not so sure,” replied Costell, ”Maguire's on his feet yet, and doesn't look happy. Something's happening which has not been slated.”

When Peter resumed, there were no more cries of ”louder.” His introduction had been a matter of trouble and doubt to him, for he liked Porter, and feared he might not show it. But now he merely had something to tell his audience, and that was easy work. So, his voice ringing very clear and distinct, he told them of the original election of the delegates; of the feeling of his ward; of the attempts to obtain a city nomination of Porter; of Maguire's promise. ”Gad, he hits from the shoulder,” said Green. As soon as the trend of his remarks was realized, Porter's supporters began to hiss and hoot. Peter at once stopped, but the moment silence came he began again, and after a repet.i.tion of this a few times, they saw they could neither embarra.s.s nor anger him, so they let him have his say. He brought his speech to an end by saying:

”I have already expressed my admiration of Mr. Porter, and as soon as I had made up my mind to vote for him, I made no secret of that intention. But he should not have been nominated by a city delegate, for he is not the choice of New York City, and any attempt to show that he is, or that he has any true backing there, is only an attempt to deceive. In seconding his nomination therefore, I wish it to be distinctly understood that both his nomination and seconding are personal acts, and in no sense the act of the delegates of the city of New York.”

There was a mingling of hoots and cheers as Peter sat down, though neither was very strong. In truth, the larger part of the delegates were very much in the dark as to the tendency of Peter's speech. ”Was it friendly or unfriendly to Porter?” they wondered.

”Mr. Maguire,” said the chairman.

”Mr. Chairman, the gentleman who has just sat down is to be complimented on his speech. In my whole life I have never heard so deceptive and blinding a narration. We know of Brutus stabbing his friend. But what shall we say of a pretended Brutus who caresses while he stabs?”

Here the Porter adherents became absolutely sure of the character of Peter's speech, and hissed.

”Nor is it Imperial Caesar alone,” continued Maguire, ”against whom he turns his poniard. Not content with one foul murder, he turns against Caesar's friends. By devilish innuendo, he charges the honorable Mr.

Kennedy and myself with bargaining to deceive the American people. I call on him for proof or retraction.”

The convention laughed. Peter rose and said: ”Mr. Chairman, I gave a truthful account of what actually took place last evening in the United States hotel. I made no charges.”

”But you left the impression that Mr. Kennedy and I had made a deal,”

shrieked Maguire.

”If the gentleman draws that conclusion from what pa.s.sed, it is not my fault.”

The convention laughed. ”Do you mean to charge such a bargain?” angrily shouted Maguire.

”Will you deny it?” asked Peter calmly.

”Then you do charge it?”

Here the convention laughed for the third time. Green shouted ”deny it,”

and the cry was taken up by many of the delegates.

”Yes,” screamed Maguire. ”I do deny it”

Peter turned to Kennedy. ”Do you too, deny it?”

”Yes,” shouted Kennedy, loudly.

Again the convention laughed.

”Then,” said Peter, ”if I had charged you with a bargain, I should now find it necessary to apologize.”

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