Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-10
Colonel
TODHUNTER
of Missouri
BY RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. BY the BObbs-MerrTH
Company
CHAPTER TX.
Colonel Todhunter Takes the Stump n
Rural Missouri.

- III 81 4-J4-
is he was unanimously chosen
by the Hon. William J. Suickland's
managers 10 invade the Yancey strong.
holds throughout the state.
''TOdhunter's Il champion vote Getter,
Strickland" said old Governor Leslie,
land that's a mighty rare gift. ANY
ordinary spellbinder can keep n candi-
dates own friends in line during
campaign and get 'em TO the polls on
election day. But it takes a man Of
uncommon qualities TO steal friends
away from the other fellow. Todhun
ters that sort OF man. Hes a natural
born campaiguer. and the sooner we
put him right on the firing line the bet
ter"
This fitted in admirably with the
colonel's own wishes II was ut the
big barbecue in Duuklln county. where
he met the redoubtable Bedford Giles
on the stump. that Colonel Todhunter
made himself famous throughout the
length and breadth OF Missouri.
Bedford Giles was probably the
finest living master Of the old school
OF perfervid political oratOry that once
so powerfully swayed the minds Of
men in the south and middle west. 1t
NAV be true that he lacked the sense
of humor; but. offsettinS this delin
quenCy. he possessed sort Of leOnine
earnestuess that had never failed TO
score tremendously in the campaigns
Of which he was conspicuous figure
The announcement OF q speech by
Bedford Giles was In itself sufficient
20 concentrate Nissourians at one
given point from radius OF twenty
miles around And they were never
disappointed. because this renowned
spellbinder. in his temperament a rant
ing trGgediau OF the old Edwin For
rest type, invariably tore their emo
tiOnal beings TO tatters and left them
convinced for all time that they had
assuredly been listening to the most
irresistible orator OF their day.
Against this man was Colonel Tod
hunter pttcd on the day Of the bar
becue. and the certainty OF witnessing
great encounter attrScted TO the
scene OF their meeting the biggest
crowd ever assembled Mt n political
gathering in that county. Enthusiasm
was at fever heat The fact that it
was largely Yancey enthusiasm placed
the colonel at decided disadvantage,
but instead OF depressing his daunt-
less soul this seemed rather TO key
him up 10 his best fighting mood.
During the forenoon. as was not IN
common. there had been IA generous
flow Of good liquor. The orators OF
do 1IV Oh IN
give satisfying account OF them
selves in dlsposinG OF this democratic
output Both were seasoned veterans
~ the task.
IL was popularity OF Bedford
Giles. however that when re reached
n certain stage of eXhilaratiOn his
mental horizon so wideued and his
Imagination took such wings 20 itself
that his spellbindinE eloquence scared
more in the realm Of fancy than Of
fact His figures of speech became
overwhelming in bold pOeSy OF concep-
ton and application. and. for the time
being. the Sonorous rounding out of
his excited thought into splendid sen,
fences was OF far more Importance in
his eStiE alton than the structure OF
truth upon which they were supposed
10 be based. His Missouri hearers en-
ioyed this phase OF his oratory keeuly
by the time he was primed 10 such
gorgeous fights they. too. were simi
larry primed TO accompany him. ST
that the conclusion OF one OF Bedford
Giles speeches never failed 10 witness
scene Of magnificent emotional pro
portions.
Upon this occasion. mellow as
peach. Bedford Giles fairly outdid him
self in his barbecue tribute 10 the vir
tues OF the Hon. Stephen *. Yam
cey. Now, in reality, Yancey was no
a candidate OF the magnetic class
He had many friends he was known a
steadfast party man. and it was con
coded that ne possessed Il particular.
shrewd knack OF always lining up
with the stronger faction in party di
visions. 1t requires more than thes
things. however. % make of candi
date one Of those formidable politica
figures for whom the party rank an,
hle delight 10 cheer for sheer love an,
affections sake" as the old phras
has II
But Bedford Giles, the cookies OF hi
heart warmed by liberal potations
idealized the Hon. Stephen X. Yancey
and the peroration OF his speech wa
one OF the finest and most typical eS
Rmples OF Gilesian eloquence.
II am not asking you. my fellow eli
izens." he declared generously. Ito non
mate Stephen X. Yancey 10 the prou
office OF chief executive Of the imperis
commonwealth OF Missouri at the sacr
fee OF others equally deserving. NJ
my friends, II this were the case
should not feel the supreme confdenC
that do now feel in your entire wi
hngness thus 10 honor him, nor in th
wisdom OF your decision in his favor.
But. fellow Democrats. l speak D
more than the simple truth when so
EMMY declare. here and now. that ID
gentlemen competing with Stephen L
Yancey for your SURFACES are no NOR
20 be compared With thar peerless lesG
R