The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-06
CHAPTER n.
Nary Todhunter ntertains The
Green-eyed Monster

MARY Iodnunter EntcrtalnS Inc
Green-eyed Monster.
Colonel Todhunter was seated in
his favorite eane-bottomed armchair
at the far end of the wide gallery
extending across the entire front OF
his house. an old-fashioned colonial
house OF hospitable aspect. With Mrs.
Todhunter he had just returned from
the Daughters OF the Confederacy pic
mic, and they were awaiting the ar
rival of Mary and her escort. STAN
Tucker, before having supper.
The Todhunter residence stood on
the crest OF gentle slope overlook
ing the pleasing sweep of Missouri
countryside that interviewed setween
the town OF Nineyeh and the Colonels
own peaceful fields OF growing corn.
Mrs. Todhunter sat close TO her hus-
band. her hands folded In her lap. her
happiness-sweetened eyes contemplate
ing the pastoral picture that had come
TO seem vital part OF her own life.
They'd better be almighty quick
about gettin' here. If they know what's
good for EN-. grumbled Colonel Tod
hunter wistfully. I'm as hungry as
a young hound-dog this very minute.
I'll be shot full of holes IL my stom-
ach don't feel like my threats cut,
Mary. | could eat grindstone right
now, if somebodyd bust II up and
pass IL TO me on a plate for real
vittles! :"
You ought to be ashamed OF your
self. Colonel Todhunter," smiled Mrs.
Todhunter, after that dinn~ YOU ate
Il. he Daughters picnic! / declare
to goodness, / was afraid they'd all
think you never got ans Ihing flt to
eat at home,'
When I'm ashamed of having a
good appetite. Mary replied Colonel
Todhunter. and specially II | ever
come to that day when | amt got it,
I'll ask the Old Marster up above TO
call me to my heavenly home. TIL
amt no man got right TO turn
away from wholesome vlttles when
the good Lords been bountiful enough
TO pervide 'em for that mans eatin'.
Nature don't never give man such
a right. II he gets so he can't relish
his food, it's one OF her punishLi. It's
for his playin' Tom Fool with himself.
sinnin' and skylarkin' around. And
am HtftE seen > .lluuitl at lilthi
times that was &c 20 do mans
work"
Mrs. Todhunter laughed outright.
III you're eating to get ready for
hard work, Colonel Todhunter. I'm
certainly glad TO see you eat hearty,
because you're likely to be kept
mighty busy nominatin' Colonel
Strickland for governor OF Missouri.
You could nominate yourself a heap
easier"
Maybe could, honey replied
Colonel Todhunter. but Bill S1ick-
lands a mighty popular man all the
same, and he deserves to be. | reckon
| could be elected eastern him, too,
KNOWN blame nigh every Democrat
in Mizzoorah. but I'd make a mighty
poor governor. You got Il handle
some ALFRED measly customers In
politics. and amt got patience
enough to handle EN- right That's
exactly where old Bill Strickland's got
me beat lie can use all sorts o.
men. crooked and straight, to gain
honest ends-he proved IL when he
was chairman OF the state committee
and that's what a governors got to
do to accomplish anything worth
while. That's why I'm workin' for
Bill Strickland. He amt only my
friend--hes far and away the best
man for governor Of Mizzoorah visible
to the naked eve at the present writ
in"
Mrs. Todhunter's comprehending
eyes rested softly on the Colonel's
grizzled visage. "Thurston," she said,
IL know better than that. | know bet
ter than you do why you'd rather have
Colonel Strickland run for governor
than to run yourself It's because
they couldn't pull you away from Nine
veh and this old home OF ours with
yoke of oxen"
Something of incredulous surprise
flashed into Colonel Todhunter's face.
Then his eyes swept lovingly across
the familiar Missouri landscape spread
out before him He looked at Mrs.
Todhunter and smiled.
Il reckon you've guessed il, honey"
he spoke at last, almost wonderingly.
But I'll be tarred and feathered If I
ever realized II until you told me.
The good Lord above us, Mary--if |
was elected governor and knew ! had
to live UP youder in Jeff city for four
years. I'd die OF Inconsistencies the
first dash out o. the box. TIL amt no
money and no fame could pay me for
dom it. subj"
Mrs. Todhunter's eye cleaned with
49,