Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-03-28
CHAPTER II.
Mary Todhunter Entertains the Green
Eyed Monster.

seated in his faVOrlte cane DOT
toned armchair at the far end
Of the wide gallery" extending
across the entire front of his home. an
oil fashioned colonial house of hos
pitable aspect With Mrs. Todhunter
he had just returned from the Daugh-
tiers Of the Confederacy picnic, and
they were awaiting the arrival Of Mary
and her escort. STAN Tucker, before
having supper.
The Todhunter residence stood on the
crest of a gentle slope overlooking the
pleasing sweep Of Missouri countryside
that interviewed between the town of
Nineveh and the coloners own peaceful
fields of growing corn. Mrs. Todhunter
sat close to her husband. her hands
folded in her lap. her happiness sweet
ened eyes contemplating the pastoral
picture that had come to seem vital
part of her own life.
"They'd better be almighty quick
about rrttin' here If they know what's
good for EN-" grumbled Colonel Tod
hunter wistfully. I'm as hungry as
young hound dog this very minute. I'll
be shot full Of holes If my stomach
don't fee, like my throat's cut. Mary. l
could eat a grindstone right now II
somebody'd bust 1t up and pass it to
me on a plate for real vittles!"
''You ought to be ashamed Of your
self. Colonel Todhunter." smiled Mrs.
Todhunter. "after that dinner you ute
at the. Daughters picnic. ! declare tc
goodness | was afraid they'd all think
you never got anything fit to eat at
homo"
"When I'm ashamed of having o
good appetite. Mary" replied Colonel
Todhunter. land specially II l ever
come to that day when l amt got 1t
I'll ask the Old Marster up above to
cali me to my heavenly home. Tn ain't
no man got right to turn away from
wholesome vittles when the good
Lords been bountiful enough to per
vide 'em for that mans eatin'. Nature
don't never give man such right
II he gets so he can't relish his food
It's one Of her punishments for bis
playin' tom fool with himself. sinnin
and skylarkin' around. And l aint
never seen no trifler at meal times that
was at to do mans work.
Mrs. Todhunter laughed outright
"If you're eating to get ready for hard
work, Colonel Todhunter. I'm certainly
glad to see you eat hearty, because
you're likely to be kept mighty busy
nominatin' Colonel Strickland for gov
ernor Of Missouri. You could nominate
yourself heap easier"
'sMaybe could, honey" replied Colo
mel Todhunter, but Bill Strickland's
mighty popular man. all the same, and
he deserves to be. reckon could be
elected eastern him, too. KNOWN blame
nigh every Democrat in MiZzoorah, bu,
I'd make u mighty poor governor. Yot
got to handle some all fred measly
customers in politics. and l amt got
patience enough to handle 'em right
That's exactly where old Bill Strick.
lands got me beat. He can use all sOrts
o. men, crooked and straight. to gair
honest ends-he proved 1t when he
was chairman OF the state committee
and that's what a governors got to dc
to accomplish anything worth while
That's why I'm workin' for Bill Strick.
land. He amt only my friend-he's
far and away the best man for cover.
nor of Mizzoorah visible to the naked
eye at the present writin'."
Mrs. Todhunters compromising eyes
rested softly on the colonel's grizzled
visage. "Thurston." she said, Il know
better than that know better than
you do why you'd rather have Colonel
Strickland run for governor than to run
yourself. It's because they couldn't
pull you away from Nineveh and this
old home Of ours with yoke of
oxen"
Something Of incredulous surprise
flashed into Colonel Todhunter's face.
Then his eyes swept lovingly across the
familiar Missouri landscape spread out
before him. He looked at Mrs Tod.
hunter and smiled.
II reckon you've guessed 1t. honey"
he spoke at last, almost wonderingly.
But III be tarred and feathered IL
ever realized it until you told me. The
good Lord above us, Mary. If was
elected governor and knew ! had to live
up yonder in JEFF City for four years
I'd die Of inconsistencies the first dash
out O. the box. TIL amt no money and
no fame could pay me for dom it,
subj
Mrs. Todhunter's eyes cleaned with
laughter That's you all over. Thurs
ton, and wouldn't have you changed a
speck. not for anything in the world
No. not even if the dear Lord himself
told me he was willin' to do it,
Colonel Todhunter contemplated his
wife graveiy. That's a mighty lucky
thing Mary" he replied then. bis eyes
twinkling just triie. Lucky for you
and blamed sight luckier for me
cause ! reckon got to stay just like
am to the end of the CHAPTER. honey"