The Detroit times., 1911-12-22
CHAPTER TX.
(Continued.l

. .UIOuGi lOuuunlCi NibAN " 49,
gas when, by mistake, he marched
non the platform at the biggest
Il ,tephen X. Yancey mass meeting OF
4 ne entire campaign and delivered a
fnging eulogy OF the Honorable VII
lam j. Strickland square In the face
II the enemy.
Nft ALI arose from the blunder OF
he Strickland headquarters man as
signsd TO guide Colonel Todhunter to
his several speaking places on that
hateful night
Rival Strickland and Yancey mass
meetings were being held IN the
same ward thai night. The two halls
engaged by the respective campaign
managers were not far apart. Col
cnel Todhunter's luckless guide got
their locations confused. Not until
ne followed the Colonel in a hurried
entrance upon the speakers stage did
he realize his blunder.
II was too late.
An early speaker had just conclud-
ed his presentation OF the Honorable
stephen X. Yancey's claims for the
favorable consideration of the Demo
cratic voters as Colonel Todhunter's s
tall and exceedingly dignified figure
emerged into view from the rear or
the stage.
II so happened that some stentor-
. ian-yoiced wag la the audience reeog-
nized the Colonel, and grasped alike
the humor OF the situation as II then
existed and .ts possibilities of further
development. This unknown gentle
man promptly sounded a mighty and
y magnetic whoop.
"rodhunter, Todhunter! Hooray
for Colonel Todhunter."
Now. il will never be known II
what Immediately followed this joy
fnll and enthusiastic cry was due 10
similar sense OF humor possessed oy
others in the audience, or If II was
merely the natural result of splen-
did salutation falling upon the ears
ofea multitude waiting and wistful TO
be stirred by vociferous leadership
into tumultuous acclaim. Whatever
the cause. the sudden slogan from
enc throat provoked maghfHeeHt
respcnse. IL was as though the vast
gathering had been electrified into a
passiun of vocalized fervor Almost
instantly the big hall echoed and re-
echoed with Colonel Todhunter's
name.
saTodhunter. Hooray for Colonel
Todhunter!"
Al this psychological moment the
original shouter added new tag"
10 his magnificent salutation.
"Speech," he roared. Speech.
Todkunter, Speech"
And again the herd followed its
leader. An overwhelming insistance
npon a speech from Colonel Todhun-
ter rang and rang again through the
hall
Whereupon Colonel Todhunter
yielded.
tremendously pleased. he advanc-
ca TO the front of the platform, and.
after achieving a most impressive
bow to the dumfounded chairman OF
the meeting, struck an attitude
worthy of Daniel Webster or Henry
Clay at their best. Thunders OF ap-
phuse greeted the all-competent pose.
Then Colonel Todhunter spoke.
k'.Fellew Democrats"
THE house fairly shook with cheers.
Upon which, Colonel Todhunter,
standing alone amidst the embattled
cohorts of the Honorable Stephen X.
Yancey, launched himself into fer
vent exposition OF the great and last
ing benefit sure to ensue from the
nomination of the Honorable William
j. Strickland for the high Office OF
gOvernor OF the imperial common
wealth of Missouri Ii was a superb
effort. Colonel Todhunter in his soul
loved the exercise of his old-fashioned
oratorical gifts with a passionate ar
dor. He had now been encouraged 10
their supremest employment.
: And he came astonishingly near
completing his panegyric of the shin
ing Strickland virtues before the in
eyitable interruption.
Suddenly. however, the listening
crowd realized what was happening.
Blank amazement followed the first
shock of realization. Then came the
calling consciousness that somebody
had played a gigantic joke on the ban
ner Yancey mass meeting OF the pr
mary campaign. ,Undeniably, too, the
hndaciorS Todhunter now confronting
them from their own tribune waA a
party 10 the outrage IL not, indeed,
IT. original instigator.
A surging howl OF partisan rage
afose. The roar OF infuriated protest
overwhelmed Colonel Todhunter's flow
OF eloduence. So mighty and resist
less vas IL that the Colonel would as
well have attempted to talk down the
fury OF tempest.
Slug him! Throw him out! Kill
him"
Colonel Todhunter turned to the
chairman OF the meeting. What's
the matter, subj" he asked, puzzled.
That's a mighty curious way for a
Strickland crowd to behave, subj"
The bull-necked ward boss" whom
he addressed spluttered and gasped
alphabetically, his cyes glaring at the
speaker. Colonel Todhuntcr repeated
his question.
And then
"A Strickland crowd-helI,r burst
from the chairman's lips. whats
eatin' you? Dis aint no Strickland
rally, you lobster! It's Yancey
lmass-meetin OF de Fourt' Ward Dem
ocracy--an' dere won't be enough left
OF youse an minnit for your frien's
10 bury. yon damned stiff!"
Colonel Todhunter stared at the
chairman. hot resentment OF the words
addressed to him leaping into his soul.
The chairman stared at Colonel Tod.
hunter. instinctively "sizing up" his
Indications Of fighting power The
crowd ronred like so many maddened
iniIIn.
And then 10 the colonels own daunt.
less mind came a full realization OF