"Never. Is he here?"
The man glanced round the room, and then replied—"I don't see him."
"He was here, I suppose?"
"Oh, yes, and addressed the meeting several times."
"In one of those sneering, ill-tempered answers to your remarks, no doubt."
The man slightly inclined his head, as if acknowledging a compliment.
"It's a pity," said I, "that such men as this John Mason often have wealth and some shrewdness of mind to give them power in the community."
"Perhaps," said my auditor, "your prejudices against this man are too strong. He's not perfect, I know; but even the devil is often painted blacker than he is. If you knew him, I rather think you would estimate him a little differently."
"I don't wish to know him. Opportunities have offered, but I have always avoided an introduction."
"Who first gave you the character of this man?" asked the individual with whom I was conversing.