A lion is in the streets / a novel by Adria Locke Langley.

Chapter 1 -- Chapter 2 -- Chapter 3 -- Chapter 4 -- Chapter 5 -- Chapter 6 -- Chapter 7 -- Chapter 8 -- Chapter 9 -- Chapter 10 -- Chapter 11 -- Chapter 12 -- Chapter 13 -- Chapter 14 -- Chapter 15 -- Chapter 16 -- Chapter 17 -- Chapter 18.

"Women, money, power--this backwoods dictator hungered for them all. Here, in the backland hills and marshes of the Magnolia State, is Hank Martin, unlettered but indomitable, on his back a peddler's bundle, in his mind a driving ambition for success, in his heart the sweet-faced image of Verity, the young teacher from up North. Here, in the country schoolhouse, is Verity, knowing at a glance that this is her man - believing that she will love him to the ends of the earth and farther. The personal drama of these two building slowly an inevitably to its tremendous climax is both profoundly human and unusually moving. In Hank, with his drive, his shrewd knowledge of mankind, his rich earthy speech and his feet of clay, you will find a man whom you will genuinely understand and pity, even while you condemn his practices and fear the deeds of his kind." -- From book jacket.