‘A wit's a feather, and a chief's a rod’ But— ‘An honest man's the noblest work of God.’” It is needless to say any thing more about the case;—Rolfe could not contend with such an opponent, and was consequently beaten. His defeat, however, was more strongly characterized by Earth. The case having been decided, Earth left the Court-House, to electioneer with the crowd for the office he desired. Upon going out, some one who had not as yet heard the decision, cried out, “Well, Earth, how did the 'squire come out?” “The fellow hulled him as clean as wheat,” said Earth, “he fairly tore the wool off; but Rolfe is a larning;—he did better the last time than he did the first. He don't rare and pitch enough;—I must talk to him, and I think I can make him come to it, artur a while.” Earth having again entered the crowd, began to electioneer for the office he so much desired.—“Come, boys,” said he, addressing himself to all around him, including many whose locks were frosted over with age, “let's go and take a little, for I am as dry as a horse.” Away they went, and having drank, some one of the group was reminded of a good anecdote, which he told, and at which being in good humour, they all heartily laughed. When the merriment had somewhat subsided, “Come, Earth,” said an old hunter, “a sheriff ought always to be able to tell a good story, that he may amuse a fellow when he is making him shell out,—let us see what you can do in that way.” “Time enough,” said Earth, “when I am elected; but at present, I must knock about, to see if I cannot pick up a vote or two.” “The best way to pick up votes, Earth,” replied an acquaintance, “is to tell a good story.” “Very well then, Jack,” said Earth, addressing the last speaker, “make a ring and give me fair play, and I will tell one, and whether it be good or bad, I leave you all to judge. It shall be the truth, that is, it shall be something which has happened to me at some time of my life, and if after telling it, you don't vote for me, if I don't lick you, I will agree never to take another 'coon hunt.” “Then whack away,” said Jack. “Well, well, well, well, once upon a time,” began Earth. “And what happened then,” asked one of the group. “Why, so many things have happened to me,” said Earth, “since I've been rooting about in these woods, that I hardly know what to tell, or which will interest most.” “Then tell us of the time that you floated down the Ohio.” “Well, well,” said Earth, bursting out in a loud laugh, “I will tell that, for I had almost clean forgot it; but I was in a predicament, wan't I?” “Tell us the story and we shall then be able to judge,” said an old hunter, who, standing near, was leaning on his rifle; “do begin, Earth, and make no more preparation; you take as long to git under way as a man does who breaks a yoke of young steers, or greases a pair of cart wheels, before he sets out upon his journey.”