The stories follow Neil Kittrell, a newspaper cartoonist whose sudden career opportunity forces him to weigh personal prosperity against artistic loyalty and civic conscience. Linked episodes trace campaign managers, editors, and politicians as they navigate fund-raising, legislative maneuvers, and electoral contests centered on figures such as Clayton and Hardy. Key events include a contested senate bill, the raising of campaign funds, a concealed state secret, and the repercussions of a disputed pardon. Through domestic scenes and public political drama the narratives examine ambition, friendship, reform, and the compromises entailed by practical politics.