Had the Republican party made laws for all the people, instid of for only the rich; had they made laws to make interest less and taxes lower; had they made laws to make it easier for people to borrow money when they needed it, instid of makin it scarce and hard to git—I say, if they had made sich laws, if they had been as foolish as my dream was, do you suppose Jobe and me would have to go to court next week to show cause why we hadent ort to be foreclosed? CHAPTER XI. “IN TOWN.” WE are at court. The case is on. Poor Jobe, he is so worried and troubled and downhearted that he dont seem to enthuse when the officeseekin canderdates and polerticians are shakin of his hand and tellin him that “we got there, and are now ready for ’96,” &c., &c. Jobe he jist takes it, and says: “Is that so?” Not one of all them polerticians or canderdate fellers seems to know that one of their “old and respected citizens” is about to be foreclosed out of house and home. Not one of them seems to care if he does know. The leadinest idea in their minds is gittin office and enthusin over the election. But I notice some of them dident come near, but seem kinder cold toward Jobe. I spect they have heerd of the foreclosin and dont want to be seen in our company. Well, we got to town this mornin and come strait to court. I jist felt as though the house would fall on me; I was so out of place. But them lawyers and fellers what okepy that field over the fence from the common herd, they jist walked around and whispered, and tiptoed, and laffed, as though they was raised right there in that field all their useless lives. Some of them even had nice tables to put their feet on, and carpet and soft cheers and sich. Well, I spect the poor things were brought up tender like, and it would hurt them to git along with common things like taxpayers git along on. [Illustration: “‘Mr. Court, Gaskins is here.’”] Well, arter a while the judge come, and the officer opened court. Then the case of “RICHER, Plaintiff, vs. GASKINS, Defendant,” was called. I felt like as if Ide faint—gone like. The judge asked if the parties to the case were in court and ready for trial. The lawyer for Congressman Richer got up and said he was “there and ready.” Then the court called for the “defendant, Gaskins.” Poor Jobe he jist sot still and looked as white as a ghost. He never moved. I hunched him, and told him to “git up and answer.” He said he couldent; he was sick. The court, kinder mad like, called for “Gaskins” agin, when I riz up and says: “Mistur Court, Gaskins is here, and I am Betsy Gaskins, the lawful wife of Jobe Gaskins, the defendant.” “Whose your lawyer?” says the court. “We haint got any,” says I. “Youd better git counsel,” says the court, “if you desire to contest this case.”