The Detroit times., 1911-12-19
CHAPTER VIII.
(COntinued.D

Colonel Todhunter laughed. II
amt forgettin' nothin'." he respond
ed And don't you forget that old
Eph Tucker was a note-shaver long
before he was politician. and he's
got note-shavin' In his blood bigger'n
mule. He couldn't no more let
good piece OF paper get away from
his bank than he could fiy-and
angelsll have to be mighty scarce be-
fore old Eph Tucker does any fiyin'!"
Nevertheless, when Colonel Tod
hunter presented the Strickland note,
Endorsed by him and with his unin-
numbered farm as collateral, for dis
count, he found old Eph Tucker
solicitously inQuisitive
What's IL all about. Colonel Tod
hunter?" the banker asked. You and
Bill Strickland going in together on
some business deal? What's the con.
sideratlon for the note?"
Colonel Todhunter looked old Tuck
er square in the eyes. "Eph," he re-
Piled. I'm a-goin' 10 play my cards
face up on the table. Bill Strickland
needs money TO pay his campaign ex-
penses. That's why I'm indorsin' his
note and askin' this bank TO discount
it,"
Old fuckers little. eyts narrowed.
And you're gettin' no good out OF II
yourself?" he asked. studying Col
onei Todhunter curiously You're
lending your credit and risking your
farm just to help BYl Strickland
along in politics."
That's what I'm doin', Eph," re-
piled Colonel Todhunter
Then" said the banker, you're a
bigger fool than l. took you for. Bill
Strickland amt good for hundred
dollars with this bank"
He's good for any amount with
me, Eph," returned Colonel Todhun'
ter. a sudden menace in his tone.
But that amt the question. Is this
note good, az II stands now?'
| "Bill Strickland don't stand no more
show for the nomination than rab-
bit spoke old Tucker. He'll never
get HIS hands on the governors sal
airy. if that's what you're counting on
Colonel Todhnn1er."
"Eph," said Colonel Todhunter, I'll
look out for that end OF the business
lAli / want you TO do is TO pass on
this-here note"
/
banker. "the Endorsement and the col
lateral make this note good, and It's
bankers business TO buy good pa
per- Well discount the note. It's
your funeral not ours
That finishes the business then,
said Colonel Todhunter. II amt wor
lryin' about any funerals. But IL you're
a-countin' on either Bill Strickland OIL
me furnishin' the corpse. Eph, you're
Igoin' to see one of the liveliest corpses
you ever seen in all your born days
Esuh,"
The old banker made no reply.
| Colonel Todhunter was chuckline
when he reported to Colonel Strick
land. Its all right. Bill. and you
can get back to St. Louis right away
he said. II got the money from ole
Eph Tucker. But great Scott and
Maria, II was worse'n pullin' eye
teeth All the same. we got it-ant
now we'll perceed to lick old Epf
with his own money"
But Colonel Todhunter would no
have spoken so confidently IL he haC
heard the gloating speech OF Presiden
Trucker, of the Nineveh National bank
a moment or two after his own de
lparture from that institution.
THE two helpless FOOLS" mutteret
old Eph Tucker to himself I've go
'em both where want EN- now. Wei
ruin Bill Strickland for good and al
this time Well wipe him of the poll
teal map of Missouri. And as for ole
IThurston Todhunter, I'll make such 9
lame duck out OF him yet that the
only Todhunter who can ever live or
that farm of his again will have tc
marry a Tucker to do it-like III
make Mary Todhunter marry my son
STAN before I'm through with her."