The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-05-29
the Democratic nominee for governor
of MizzOorah, Bill Strickland"'

/
"l-gad, Thurs" he said, II never
thought Id begrudge another man his
pluck. but I'm doing that with you
now, my friend. I'm too tired to fight
any longer, old fellow. That's the
truth Of it. The campaigns over as
far as I'm concerned. don't want to
hear anything more but the final re-
suits. and I'm going to write my
friends In st. Louis not to bother send
ing me anything but that The truth
is, Thurs. this trouble Of Toms has
taken something out Of my spirit that
don't seem to come back"
It'll come back. Bill" said Colone!
Todhunter stoutly. And you've been
standing the gaff like gamecock. sub.
& You've done all man in your position
could ha' done, and your friends will
do whatever fghtin remains to he
done You just take it easy subj"
Tom Strickland entered the room.
He looked pale and worn, but happy,
and there was steadier manliness IN
his face.
Mothers asking for you and Colonel
Todhunter, father" he said. She
wants me to tell you that this isn't any
time to be talking politics"
Colonel Todhunter laughed. Amt
that just like woman, BiIl?' he asked
And Mrs. Strickland, for all she
knows, on the very edge Of becomin
the first lady of Mizoorah, sub! III be
hamjigged! Well. sub. l reckon the
| good Lord who made 'em understands
'em, but it's a blamed sight more'n
do. Not even Mrs. Todhunter, subj
He chuckled. Then be added. Least
of all Mrs. Todhunter. suh!"
Dick Cantrill, editor Of the Nlneveh
Blade, Colonel Strickland's home or
gan. enterprisingly arranged for a bull
letin service Of election returns on the
night Of the primary vote, and Colone'
Todhunter and the Hon. William J.
Strickland were among the first to ar
rive at the Blade Office that evening.
Dick himself. with Lycurgus Quivey
as his assistant, was to handle the bull
letins, the poet schoolmaster's most ar
duous assignment being that Of keep
ing the Blade devil in swift action
between the newspaper plant and the
telegraph office across the street. There
was a quite considerable gathering OF
Ninevehs voters to hear what news
might come, and much speculation as
to the result was being voiced.
What do you think about it now
Bill?" asked Colonel Todhunter as the
candidate appeared on the scene.
Just the same as I've been saying
right along here lately replied Colo
mel Strickland quietly. "1'll go into
Kansas City and st. Louis consider
ably ahead Of Yancey. and Id carry st
Louis on an honest count. Kansas City
being Steve Yancey's home, will roll ul
a big majority for him, even If they've
got to give the penitentiary close
shave ia doing it. Still. I'd stand 6
fighting chance if the st. Louis crooks
didn't have a free hand-but they've
! cot it. and that's what's going to cook
my goose"
"Well. then, givin' 'em St. Louis and
Kansas City both, what do you figure
your plurality in the state'll have to be
to overcome that?"
II reckon they won't dare to count
more'n 10000 plurality for Yancey IN
St. Louis-it would be too plain show
ing Of crooksd work if they did-and
on that basis I'd need something like
25,OOO plurality in the state. Where an
going to get it,"
Colonel Todhunter looked dubious
"That certainly is saddlin' mighty big
contract on Mizzoorah. to offset the
crooked count IN st. Louis. But Ill just
be double whipsaw wed if we won't fight
'em to the last ditch. sub. No mans
licked till he says so himself. Why
right on that point, sub. knew an old
fellow over yonder in Galloway that
never got licked in his whole life: be
died fightin' to bis last breath. like a
ree'lar old Davy Crockett, sub"
The Hon. William j. Strickland smil
ed. I'm not throwing up the sponge
either" he responded. but the wises,
| way is to look facts straight in the
face. II you don't you simply build a
fools paradise that'll make you feel all
the worse if things don't turn out
right"
Colonel Todhunter chuckled. "All
the same" he commented, Pm agoin
to use my bricks right down to the last
one buildin' house that suits me. not
one that suits the other fellow. Hope
on, hope ever that's my motto, and
the devil take the hindmost.'
Here you are. folks" called out
Dick Cantrill 1.-THE bulletins are be-
ginning to come in.
incomplete returns from fifty coun'
ties. including Kansas City and st. Joe
give Yancey 3S,75O. Strickland 1S,24S
Judson 17.416 and Sanford 1885,"
"Hooray for our side" exclaimed
Colonel Todhunter.
The others laughed.
"What are you hoorayin' about
| Thurs?" drawIed Colonel Strickland
! amused. "Trying to keep your courage