Story about a judge William Priest's battle for reelection against Yankee prosecutor Horace K. Maydew. Despite the judge's popularity, it's possible that his generosity and sense of justice may cost him the election. First he tries to persuade the eminent General Fairfield to admit that he's kin to Lucy Lee, whose questionable background makes her a subject for ridicule. Next he faces down an angry lynch mob accusing a black man of a heinous crime, who vow vengeance at the polls.