The Detroit times., 1911-12-08
CHAPTER u.
(Continued.)

4 heuIeu the lhnulnB anu the 1OnOI'
able William J. Strickland waved his
hand toward the waiting multitude.
IL increased In volume as he made
his way downward until he stood pic
torially framed In at the farther end
OF the lowered gang-plank. II was q
great moment for Nineveh.
Already the Nineveh brass band
was playing Hail TO the Chief with
tremendous fevor. The gorgeously
uniformed Nineveh Light Infantry
stood in company front at parade rest
behind the band. All Nineveh, II
seemed, was assembled back OF them
on the wharf-boat and along the imme-
diate river front. The ardent gather
Ing split the air with shouts OF high
acclaim as the wellknown figure OF
Colonel Bill Strickland crossed the
steamers gang-plank. The next mo-
ment, Colonel Thurs T. Todhunter, ad-
vancing. was seen to grasp his hand.
! Each man accomplished a splendid
cavalier sweep OF his wide-brimmed
soft hat. Then they stood facing each
other In a fine attitude of cordial dig
nifty. They were prime types of two
of the four strains of pioneer blood
that are blended in the Missouri type
itself, Colonel Todhunter coming OF
Kentucky stock and Colonel Strick-
land of Tennessee. Virginia and New
England were the other. contributors
to the blend. The three southern
states named are responsible for the
emotional endowment that has made
Missouri "spell-binders' long famous
on the stump. The eastern states
have supplied that cooler. steadier and
more practical strain that constitutes
Missouri's balance-wheel in character
adjustment.
Linking arms. Colonel Todhunter
and the Honorable William J. Strick-
land moved through the applauding
hosts to an open carriage.
After you, subj" said Colonel Tod
hunter tremendously. waving his com
panion to the seat OF honor. And.
sub. | beg to notify you that this is
| the beginnin' of your triumphal pro-
ferson City, subj"
Renewed cheering greeted this i'm
posing announcement. The Honor
able William ]. Strickland took his
place in the carriage. Colonel Tod
hunter followed him. The mayor or
Nineveh, the editor OF the Blade and
other local celebrities occupied the
remaining vehicles.
Captain Sim Birdsong OF the Nine
veh Light Infantry, a veteran OF the
Spanish war, now stiffened until his
spine was as straight and rigid as q
ramrod. Ordinarily Sim was rather
an awkward young Missourian, sandy
haired, freckle-faced and easily
abashed. But he became fiercely mar
tial the moment he donned his regi-
mentals.
"Cump' y-'Tenshun-n-n!" roared
Captain Sim. "Carry-humps! Shout
der-humps; Right fo'ward-fo' S
right-march, Coin right-march!"
Even as the thrilling commands
were given and the Nineveh Light In
fantry, in column of tours, came
swinging on and took its station in
front of the Strickland carriage, the
Nineveh brass band at the head or the
column struck up STARS and Stripes
Forever" and the first parade of the
Strickland campaign for the govern
orship of Missouri was under way.
Seems to me, Bill, said Colonel
Todhunter as the carriage moved OH,
that you came out for the nomination
at exactly the right minute in that ST.
Louis announcement of your'n. Tae
old machine crowds a-backin' Steve
Yancey TO fare-you-well, and the
peoples sick and tired OF the whole
outfit, sub. miss my guess IL tn
amt a stampede in your direction.
Colonel Bill Strickland smiled
doubtfully. Our side seems to think
that I'm the best man to make the
Colonel Bill Strickland smiled doubt
fully. Our side seems to think I'm
the best man TO make the race,
Thurs, he spoke, but you're way
of il you think there amt going TO be
Ia fight. It'll be hot and heavy straight
down the line Whoever wins VIII
win after the toughest scrabble you
and me ever saw in Missouri politics,
my friend.
II amt objectin none TO a fight"
said Colonel Todhunter. But this is
the fust time in the history OF Miz
zoorah that the Democrats nominate
their candidate for governor at the
polls. stead Of in a nominatin' conven-
ton, and | b'ieve they're a.goin TO
make sure of an honest man. II looks
good to me. sub.
PausinR for just a moment, he re-
sumed. Here's the way | size up the
situation. Mizzoorah Democrats know
now that the old gang is crookeder'n
a dogs hind leg, sub. They know
you've been frozen out OF the state
committee chairmanship because that
bunch amt got no more use for you'n
hossthief's got for a square sheriff.
You stand for a return 10 straight
politics, In their eyes. And now the
voters don't have to leave the nomina-
/ tin business TO a convention that's
fuller of tricks'n cur dog is of feas,
sub. That's why I'm a-countin' on
iyorr bein' nominated"
+ Maybe so" replied the other. But
the machines going TO fight me all II
knows how, from start TO finish. The
lfght1l begin right here in my own
town. Old Eph Tucker. the richest
man in Nineveh, is Stephen X. Yam
cey'p personal representative In this
neck o. the woods. and old Eph Tuck
err hates me so hard 1t keeps him
awake at nights"
well, sub" chuckled Colonel Tod
hunter, III the old gang waits for Eph
Trucker TO spend any of his money In
ipolitics. they'll wait mighty long
time, sub. He squeezes ev'y dollar o.
f, his'n til the eagle screams and flies
back into his own pocket. and you
L In