The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-03-27
CHAPTER II.
Mary Todhunter Entertains the Green
Eyed Monster.

| ~ OLONEI. TODu u \ TER was
seated in his favOrite cane bot
~ toned armchair at the far end
of the wide gallery" extending
across the entire front OF his home. an
old fashioned colonial house Of hos
pitable aspect With Mrs Todhunter
he had just returned from the Daugh-
ters 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 gentle slope overlooking the
pleasing sweep of Missouri countryside
that interviewed between the town Of
! Nineveh and the colOnels 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
part Of her own life.
They'd better be almighty quick
about gettin' here if they '-now what's
good for EN-" grumb!ed 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 feel like my throat's cut. Mary
could eat a grindstone right now il
somebody'd bust it up and pass 1t 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 ate
at the Daughters picnic. | declare to
goodness was afraid they'd all think
you never got anything fit to eat at
home
When I'm ashamed OF having Il
good appetite, Mary replied Colonel
Todhunter, land specially if | ever
come to that day when | amt got it,
| I'll ask the Old Marster Up above to
call me to my heavenly home. tn amt
no man got u right to turn away from
| wholesome vittles when the good
Lords been bountiful enough to per-
vide EN- for that mans eatin' Nature
; don't never give man such right.
If he gets so he can't relish his food
! its one OF her punishment5 for his
p!ayin tom fool with himself, sinnin'
| and skylarkiu' around. And l amt
never seen no triher at meal times that
! was fiji to do a 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
Maybe could. honey" replied Colo
mel Todhunter. but Bill StricklandS a
mighty popular man, all the same, and
he deserves to be. | reckon l could be
| elected eastern him, too, KNOWN blame
/ nigh every Democrat in Mizzoorah, bu,
I'd make a mighty poor governor. You
got to handle some all fired measly
/ customers in politics. and 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 gain
honest ends-he proved it 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-hes
far and away the best man for COVER
nor Of Mizzoorah visible to the naked
eye at the present writin'."
Mrs. Todhunter's compromising eyes
rested softly on the colonels 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 increduous 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
Il reckon you've guessed it, honey"
he spoke at last, almost wonderingly. !
But I'll be tarred and feathered if |
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 rst dash
out O. the box. TIL amt no money and
no fame could pay me for dom it.
suhr'
Mrs. Todhunter's eyes cleaned with
laughter. That's you all over. Thurs
ton. and | wouldn't have you changed
speck. not for anything in the world
No. not even if the dear Lord himself
told me be was willin' to do it,
Colonel Todhunter contemplated his
wife graveIy. That's a mighty lucky
thing. Mary" he replied then. his eyes
twinkling just trifle. Lucky for you
and blamed sight luckier for me.
cause reckon l got to stay just like
am to the end Of the chapter, honey"
At that moment the sound of young