The Detroit times., 1911-12-19
- GOLONEL@ |
~ TODHUNTER -
@<MSSOLlp/ Nr%S|
Drf9IpLtY D SAUNDERS
cscrxtt Merrill Coapan
DI IIlPltID.OAU
Cspyrixht 1911. The Bobbs- Merrill Company

itself in Colonel Bill Stricklands pri-
vate ONCE, but somewhat dismayed at
thought OF an impending ordeal.
ri just be eternally whipsawed II
you Amt a-tryin' TO make a round peg
At into a square hole. Bill" he protest
ed earnestly. something like awe OF
his surroundings stamped upon his
sunburned features. I'm willin' TO do
most anything in the world for you,
and you know II. But when you turn
me loose in a big town like this and
expect me TO behave like anything
moren a wall-eyed plow-horse with his
tail full o. cuckle-burs, I'll be ever
lastinly condemned IL you amt maxim
a mighty serious mistake, subj"
Nonsense Thurs laughed Colonel
Strickland. I'm counting on you for
some St Louis speeches that'll be
worth their weight in gold. my friend.
We need you here, sir, a man that
talks old-fashioned American Democ-
racy straight from the shoulder. City
politicians have forgotten what the
real Democratic doctrine is, Thurs.
and we've got to revive II in the peo-
pies hearts II We expect EN- to vote
right. That's why | want you 20 help
me open my st. Louis campaign.
You've got to do it, Thurs"
Colonel Todhunter gazed at his
friend pensively BILL" he said,
I'm agoin' 10 do It. as you well know.
I'd strip the shirt off'n my back and
head a procession wavin' IL for a
Strickland banner II you asked me to,
whether I thought II was the best
thing TO do under the circumstances
or not. But bid you remember. Bill.
that | warned you in time. It'll be
your fault II you have occasion to re-
gret havin' brought me in from the
pasture and stacked me up against
these here bangtailed city thorough
breds. subj!
| "TH take the chances. old fellow"
said the candidate, his eyes twinkling.
You Just oblige me now for old friend
1 ships sake and III be responsible for
everything that happens afterward.
amt the least bit afraid.
"rT eat my hat If | don't wish
could say the same, subj" calculated
Colonel Todhunter, vehement panic
| in his tone. I'm skeered 10 the mar
| row, sub. because I'm out o my Dallf-
wick and up against proposition That
don't know any more aboutn hog
knows about holiday. sub. And
you're agoin' to discover, sub, before
we get through with this pieceNof fool
ishness. that had mighty good rea-
sons for bein' skeered. too"
"Shucks, you old war-horse! laugh
ed Colonel Bill Strickland. Once you
get into the fight you'll warm up like
a two-year-old and show these st.
Louis folks what real Missouri DEM
ocrat is You're going TO make the hit
OF your life, sir"
Maybe am and maybe amt, Bill
Strickland" quoth Colonel Todhunter
moodily. But all / ask at the finish
Is that you'll remember 1t want me
that made the prediction, sub. I'm a
natural born optimist, sub, but that
don't necessarily mean that I'm nat
ural born jackass at all times and UNI
der all circumstances and on all sun-
iects. as some folks seem TO think.
subj"
And in this frame OF mind Colonel
lTodhunter returned into the general
lheadauarters Offices and was introduc-
ed to his Nineveh friends st. Louis
hackers and campaign staff.
| (To be contlnued.)