The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-17
ing signal to Colonel Todhunter's com
panion. Then, for an hour or more,
the two were left undisturbCd.

panion. Then, for an hour or more,
the two were left undisturbcd
They chatted pleasantly on many top
rs. The colonel himself was led to
talk discursively on the Political stu
alton in Missouri, the distinctive types
of party leaders in the country dis
tricts, his own personal views and am
pie "reminiscences of past campaigns in
the state, his quaint valuation Of De
mocracy's great historic figures, He
was in reality being trapped into self
revelation. Behind his talk, animating
it and shining though its unsuspectins
frankness and utter naturalness, ap-
of the speaker, presented with absO-
lutte unreserve. The colonels cOmp0n-
ion was the most appreciative of listen
ers, and as he listened a light of whm-
steal regard deepened in his eyes.
But I'm a-takin' up heap of your
time. subj exclaimed the colonel final
ly. Il reckon you city newspaper men
have to trot around after news till
your tongues a-hangin' out Of your
mouth yard long. You mustn't let
me keep you from other things. sub"
mot at all. Colonel Todhunter,"
came the quick response. ITS been
well worth while. sir. l intend using
some of your talk, if you have no OBJ
lection, so you're really helping me out,
YOU know
The colonel looked at his companion
pityingly. You're wastin' your pow
der, young man. can talk by the
hour, but what say amt got no more
business bein' printed in great city
newspaper n Whit O wind a-rustlin'
the dry leaves in the woods. sub. You
better be mighty careful, tryin' to
make somethin' worth while out o
them there observations of mine.
Your folks ut the paper II think you're
worsen Il Old huntin' dog that goes
skyhootin' off licketysplit after rab-
bit when its pa'tridges they was
a.countin' on him to pint. sub"
The newspaper man leaned back and
laughed ZeStfully. Colonel, I'm will
ing to take the chances on that if YOU
are. And III leave it to you tomorrow
afternoon if don't know what's worth
while when I see it. sir. You've given
me a crackerjack talk on Missouri poll
tics, and I'm very much obliged to you.
colonel
you're mighty welcome replied
Colonel Todhunter, genial but doubt
full. iii he shot full @ holes if l see
how you're :-goin' to write a piece
from what I've been sayin', sub
Then suddenly he nodded to his
front What in blue blazes and Sam
Hill is that man a-dOin' there!' he
asked. "The one with that placard in
his hand. sQuintin' ut me every two
seconds and then jabbin' down some
thin with his pencil? That's the con-
foundedest most singular proceedin'
ever laid my two eyes on, suh!'
The young newspaper man shook
with laughter. Colonel" he said. his
humorous lips twitching, don't worry
about that man. He's perfectly harm
less. l know him. He's got bug on
bats In his belfry on that one subject
He goes around recording his impress
sions at close range during every cam
paign just the way you see him now.
Most remarkable character, colonel.
I've known him for a long time
"Well, suh.' replied Colonel Todhunt-
er, I'll he eternally condemned if he
mustn't ha' wrote Il whole book about
me. then. He's been iabbin' that there
pencil O his'n up and down for the
last twenty minutes or so worse'n lit
tie girl playin' tit-tat-too' behind her
jogaphy durin' schooltime, subj
The newspaper man wiped tears of
laughter from his eyes. III take him
away now, colonel he said at last,
rising. i've got to 90 back to the
office, and it always tickles him to talk
to somebody about his Impressions |
expect he'll have lot to say about
you, sir"
well, You keep it dark, sub, if he
does, replied Colonel .Todhunter. II
got enough to stand up under here in
st. Louis without no comments from
such an almighty curious specimen O.
humanity as that, suhr'
And at this the newspaper man fair
~ exploded. He was still shaking
with laughter when he joined the mys-
ferrous stranger. The latter promptly
pocketed his pencil. stuck his bit Of
cardboard under his arm, and then to-
gether the two departed.
Its this here crazy-like city life that
makes such wrecks as that poor simple
Simon" unused the colonel. "I-gad, it
beats me why any human bein' is
willin' to live it. let alone pay such a
price as that for it, But it takes all
sorts O. people to make world. IN
just be Jim swizZled if 1t don't. suhr'
The next afternoon when Colonel
.Tedhunter's eyes fell on the front page
of the leading independent Democratic
paper of st. Louis he fairly gasped
with horror. Then followed an almost
tragic pause as he absorbed the full
meaning Of what had SO suddenly