The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-20
CHAPTER TX.
(Confinued.l

A quiet young newspaper man who
happened TO be drifting through tho
rooms seemed instantly impressed by
Colonel Todhunter's picturesque per.
sonality. He studied the colonel In
tently, growing appreciation In his
thoughtful and latently humorous
eyes
After exchanging few words with
this new addition to the Strickland
forces the journalist went into one OF
the private telephone booths at the
end OF the reception-room and called
up his paper. Then he came back to
Colonel Todhunter, engaging him In
conversation. A few minutes later a
second man casually appeared and
unobtrusively stationed himself where
he had a good front view OF the Colon.
who was being deity led into political
dissertion by his new acquaintance.
Colonel Bill Strickland. passing
through the main room at one moment,
saw the two with their heads together.
Something like CLEAN OF laughter
leaped into his eyes and he nodded.
almost imperceptibly, an approving
signal to Colonel Todhunter's CON-
Htn, lOI uOuI VI ihOiCs
the two were left undisturbed.
They. chatted pleasantly on many
topics. The Colonel himself was led
10 talk discursively on the political
situation In Missouri, the distinctive
types OF party leaders In the country
districts. his own personal views and
ample "reminiscences OF past can-
paigns in the state, his quaint valua-
ton OF Democracy's great historic fig
ures. He was in reality being trapped
into a self-revelation. Behind his talk,
animating IL and shining through it's
unsuspecting frankness and utter nat
uralness appeared the child-like and
simple soul OF the speaker presented
with absolute unreserve. The
Coloners companion was the most APP
tpreeiatiFe OF listeners. and, as he
listened. light Of whimsical regard
deepened In his eyes.
But I'm a-takin' up heap OF your
time, sub" exclaimed the Colonel
finally. Il reckon you city newspaper
men have to trot around after news
! t HI your tongues a.hangini out Of your
mouth a yard long. You mustn't let
me keep you rom other things. sub"
Not at all, Colonel Todhunter!"
came the quick response. It's been
well worth while. SIR | intend using
some OF your talk. II you have no OBJ
lection. so you're really helping me
out, you know"
The Colonel looked at his companion
pityingly You're wastin' your pow
der. young man. can talk by the
hour. but what say amt got no more
business bein' printed In a great city
newspaper n Whit o. wind a-rustlin
the dry leaves in the woods. sub. You
better be mighty careful, tryin' tc
makes somethin' worth while out o
them-there observations OF mine
your folks at the paper'll think you're
worse'n a old huntin dog that goes
sky-hootin' of lickety-split after a rab
bit when it's pa'tridges they was
a-countin' on him TO pint. sun
= The newspaper man leaned back am
laughed zestfully. Colonel, I'm will
ing to take the chances on that, II yo'
are. And I'll leave II to you, tomor
row afternoon. IL don't know what
worth while when | see ". sir. Your
given me cracker-jack talk on MIS-
souri, politics, and I'm very MR.
obliged to you, Colonel
You're mighty welcome replie'
Colonel Todhunter, genial but doubt
full. "Tll be shot full o. holes II se'
how you're a-goin' to write q piec'
from what I've been sayin'. sub"
Then. suddenly, he nodded to hi
front. What in blue blazes and San
Hill is that man a-doin' there" h
asked. The one with that placard II
his hand, squinnn' at me every tw'
seconds and then jabbin' down some
thin with his pencil? That's the cor
foundedest most singular proceedin'
ever laid my two eyes on. sub!
The young newspaper man shoo
with laughter. Colonel" he said, hi
, humorous lips twitching, don't 20
worry about that man. He's perfect
, harmless. know him. He's got
bug on political celebrities, sir IT'S
, case OF bats in his belfry on that on
subject. He goes around recording nj
Impressions at close range durin
! every campaign, Just the way you Sc
him now Most remarkable character
Colonel, I've known him for lon
time"
We'll, subj" replied Colonel Toe
| hunter. "Tll be eternally condemned
. he mustn't ha' wrote a whole boo
I about me, then. He's been jabbin tha
there pencil o'.his'n UP and down 10
, the last twenty minutes or 80 worse
,t..fo civil yNiaviu' fit-tat.tO hahind he