The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-12
- COLONEL - !
II I0pHVNTER III
@<MSSOLlDI WITHIN
Dr I9lptU D. SAUNDERS
Copyright

Dr RIPLEY D.SAUNDtRs
cosyr;xht. 1871, The Bobbs-MerriH Conp>.y

hen he laughed and settled back in
his chair. But, shucks, Squire. |
can't talk TO you like could To a
younger man! Let's go easy. You're
Tor Yancey, and I'm for Strickland.
and that's all there is To IL. Every
mans got right to his own opinion
in free country Squire
Very well. sir. very well, II you
will have II that way" retorted old
Eph Tucker. But you're backing a
loser. Dick Cantrill, and you're going
To suffer for IL. Stephen X. Yancey
deep that BilFs friends'll never be
able to dig him out sir"
Dick Cantril stretched his arms
above his head such being the
case, Squire" he replied, sit don't
make any difference to you Yancey
people what me and the Blade see fit
10 do. so you can just Keep your shirt
on. There certainly can't be any &C.
casion for your worrying II you've got
us beat from the jump.
Old Tucker glared at the amused
speaker.
At this moment fourth figure was
added to the group. Ii was that OF
Lycurgus Quivey. the schoolmaster OF
Nineyeh. gaunt and homely repre-
sentative OF rustic learning, with
face pathetic in its meek wistful-
ness.
We'll, well, Lycurgus"' cried Dick
Cantrill cordially, I'm glad to see
you. Blest II hadn't begun TO fear
the Blade wasn't going to have poem
from you this week. And that would
never do, <sir!
The shv schoolmaster colored at the
greeting. It's mighty good OF you
to say so, Mr.. Cantrill," he replied. Il
reckon my poems don't amount to as
much as that. but | try my best 10
keep 'em up to a high standard. The
world don't seem TO care much for
poetry now, though"
TITS always been That way, Lycur-
us,"-and q whimsical smile came on
Dick Cantrill's lips. The only time
the world has ever loved and hon
ored It's poets is after they've been
starved to death, sir. But what have
you got now?"
Lycurgus Quivey cleared his throat
nervously. II reckon you'll be sur
prsed. Mr. Cantrill." he said at last.
but the truth is, I've written po-
litical poem this time. | know Colonel
Strickland so well, sir, and like him
so much. that thought Id write
a Strickland campaign song. II might
do some good at mass-meetings and
barbecues and such things, 1t seemed
TO me-"
Old Eph Tucker snorted and glared
at the embarrassed speaker. Colonel
Todhunter beamed his approval. Dick
Cantrills sense of humor reveled in
the situation.
Bully for you, Lycurgus" he ex-
claimed That's just fine! You bet
the Blade will print your campaign
song. And, by George. sir, come to
think Of IL, here's Squire Tucker do
ing his level best to convert me to the
Yancey cause-I'll just read your
poem to him and see II IL won't bring
him over to the Strickland side"
At this old Eph fuckers wrath ex-
ploded
"You won't do anything of the
Sort" he calculated. You and your
fool poets can go 1t alone supporting
s Bill Strickland It's about all the sup
port he'll get!"
Then he turned on Lycugus Quivey.
"As for you, Mr.. Schoolteacher," he
snarled, IF writin' campaign poetry
for Bill Strickland is the best you can
do I'll see II we can't get you more
time for it by getting you out OF the
Nineveh school, sir. can do II, too.
I'm chairman OF the school board, and
I'll hist you out of your job with
out letting any grass grow under my
feet"
NO, you won't, Squire" spoke Dick
Cantrill quietly His steady eyes held
those of old Eph Tucker with a dis
tinct menace.
Squire" Dick continued, II know
you just we'll enough to know that
you're willing to make that threat
good. Don't you dare do 1t. sir. This
man is worthy man in his place,
and, outside of his working hours,
he's privileged to write poetry to
whomever and whatever he damn
pleases, and TO make his own choice
in politics, sir / give you piece or
advice, Squire Tucker. Don't you lift
finger to get Lycurgus Quivey fired,
sir II you do, it'll be the worse for
you"
/ Old Eph Tucker glared at the speak
! err "What'l you do. Dick Cantrill?
4 That's mighty big talk to come of OF
such a little stomach. sir. Whatll
! you do IL see At to teach Lycurgus
I Quivey to mind his own business"
/ (Continued.D