The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-12

from kicking up it's heels in the pas ture and you know it. You can't fool me"
 ''What I can't do and what yearlin colt can't do are two mighty different things, judge answered Colonel Tod hunter. "But I ain't connected witlS old Bill Stricklancrs campaign in no official capacity that I'm aware of, and if see fit to turn trick on my own hook, that's Hobody's blame business but mine, suh."
 Then the colonel chuckled. '-I'Il tell you one thing and that a1n't two: I'd ruther have a woman's promise to make her husband vote for me or my candidate than to have a mans own word on stack O Bibles a mile high suh. It's only up to the man to keep his word. But it's up to the woman to prove that she can manage her hus-. band. And she'll do that, suh or die in the attempt
 Old Judge Boiling laughed. ''WeIl, Thurs he said, ssI've just been fooling with you anyway Mrs. Todhunter herself stopped at our house this morn ing and took Mrs. Boiling along with her, and she made me promise to come later, so it's all right. They'll have no excuse for saying that we're there in Colonel Strickland's interest, so yOH and I can go down to Indian Springs with a perfectly easy conscience" An hour later old Judge Boiling and Colonel Todhunter emerged upon the picnic grounds in company, having driven down in the colonels buggy Mrs. Todhunter, a white haired old aristocrat of the antebeIIum type. ad- vanced to meet her husband and his friend. If Mrs. Fodhunter had a fault 1t was that she tacitIy regarded all Nineveh as being vassaI to her social suzerainty and bore herself something as might the ruling monarch of some little principaIity- But this manner was not apparent in her bearing to- ward old Judge Boiling, whom she knew as being of her own caste.
 t'I'm very glad you've come, judge" she said Iaughingly- And especially right now. It may take you and Colo neI Todhunter both to make our Mary and young. Tom Strickland behave themselves, sir.v Tom has already kid naped Mary away somewhere after put them to work spreading table cloths, and I've been yowing all sorts of vengeance on both of them don't approve of Toms behavior at all. judge" As
 t'It pains me to disagree with lady, madam replied the white haired old 1 judge galIantly, 4ebut must say I ap- prove 0f Toms conduct h getting Miss Mary Todhunter off to himself at ev- cry chance, ma'am?'
 That's all very fine, judge" said Mrs Todhunter, laughing and shaking her head, t'but Mary has no business permitting Tom Strickland to monOpo- iize her. She came out here with 1Stamford Tucker. I wouldn't blame Stan in the least if he got ugly about Eit''
 Then Mrs TodhJnter laughed and pointed an accusing finger. There they Iare now, looking as if butter wouldn't Imelt in their mouths. Won't you go over there for me, judge, and tell Iron. Strickland to behave himself and send Mary to me right away? There's no earthly use in Colonel Todhunter going, because neither one of them would mind a word he saysr' Old Judge Boiling, laughing. moved off to- i ward the young couple.
 Mrs. Todhunter turned to the colonel. ''You see, know you like a book, Colo nel Todhunterr' she said, her eyes twinkling fsYou think everything young Tom Strickland does is just right, and you'd stand up for him quicker than his own father, And as for Mary. she can twist you around her finger any. time. Don't think I place any dependence upon you where they are concerned. sir!'
 Colonel Todhunter smiled calmly. "I ain't askin' you to, Mary" he retorted. "In the first place, I approve of Toms fallin' as deep in love with Mary as he knows how In the second place, interferin' in these here sentimental affairs is a mighty tickIish business, and Pm here at this picnic to have a good time. Pm a-goin' to have it, too!' Saying which, he beat hasty retreat.
 But he had hardly succeeded in plac- ing section of the picnic crowd be tween himself and Mrs. Todhunter when a young girl came running along his trail, breathlessI and with mis- chievous eyes.
 Mrs. Todhunter wants you to come right back to her. colonel" she an nounced- She's short on men tn help her, and she's awful busy Wants you to come right away, sir.'
 Colonel Todhunter glanced yEdulsi- caiIy at the messenger. "Ain't that just like a mans wife? She didn't want Judge Boiling when she saw him. Oh no! It's me she wants. And I'll bet she's got the hardest job on the grounds picked out for me right now.''
 Then he turned to the amused girl s@Thank you, Miss Louise.'' he said ruefuIly. Please tell Mrs. Todhunter Ts1I I1e. fhero in fVro or tF1I-oo minutes 2