"I name Frank Shirley for clerk!"
The judge, without waiting for the forms in such cases, would have declared Shirley elected had not Mr. Willett leaped to his feet and shouted:
"I protest."
"One of the prizners protests," said the judge, and he picked up the tumbler with an angry gesture, as if about to hurl it at Mr. Willett's head.
Frank Shirley evidently expected to act as clerk of the court without any opposition, for as soon as his name was called he pushed himself to the front.
"What objection have you got to Mr. Shirley, I'd like to know?" said the judge, his face growing redder with anger.
"I have many objections," said Mr. Willett, not at all intimidated by the frowns of Shirley's friends.
"Can't the man write?" asked the judge.
"I suppose he can," replied Mr. Willett.
"Wa'al, if he can write what more do you want in a clerk?" said the judge.