He was not popular in Ohio, but he was respected for his sharp tongue, subtle brain, and intractable honesty.
His business finished, he had the task of filling up the evening, for he could not leave for home till the morrow.

His host, Mr.George Curtin, was a little shy of his guest and longed profoundly to see the last of him.

It was obvious that this alert lawyer regarded the Springfield folk as mossbacks--which might be well enough for St.Louis and Chicago, but was scarcely becoming in a man from Steubenville.

Another kind of visitor he might have taken to a chickenfight, but one glance at Stanton barred that solution.

So he compromised on Speed's store.
"There's one or two prominent citizens gathered there most nights," he explained.