Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-27
Colonel
TODHUNTER
Of Missouri
By RIPLEY D! SAUNDERS
Cepyripkt 1911. Ly 10 eotss.Aaero
Cepvipht. 1911. BY dse botss-l1eer0
CsMpsy
CHAPTER n.

seated In MS 1aVOr1Ce cane Oot-
" toned armchair ut 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-
tiers 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 intervened 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
picture that had come to seem a vital
part of her own life.
They'd better be almighty quick
about gettin' here IL they know what's
good for EN-" grumbled Colonel Tod
hunter wistfully. "1'm as hungry as q
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. I
could eat a grindstone right now If
somebody'd bust it up and pass it to
me on plate for real vittles"
you ought to be ashamed Of your
self, Colonel Todhunter," smiled Mrs.
Todhunter. latter that dinner you ate
at the Daughters picnic. declare to
goodness I was afraid they'd all think
you never got anything At to eat at
home"
when I'm ashamed Of having a
good appetite, Mary" replied Colonel
Todhunter, and specially II ever
come to that day when I amt got it,
I'll ask the Old Marster up above to
call me to my heavenly home. Th' amt
NO man got . right to turn away from
wholesome vittlss when the good
Lords been bountiful enough to per-
vide 'em for that mans eatin'. Nature
don't never give man such a right
II he gets 90 he can't relish his food
it's one Of her punishments for his
playin' tom fool with himself, sinnin'
and skylarkin' around And amt
never seen no trifier at meal times that
was 1T to do q mans work."
Mr.. Todhunter laughed outright.
III 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 Strickland's a
mighty popular man. all the same, and
he deserves to be. reckon could be
elected eastern him, too. KNOWN blame
nigh every Democrat in Mizzoorah, but
I'd make . mighty poor governor. You
got to handle some all fred 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 do
to accomplish anything worth while.
That's why I'm -yorkin' for Bill St-ick.
land. He amt only my friend-he's
far and away the best man for COVER
nor Of Mizxoorah visible to the naked
eye at the present writin'."
Mrs. Todhunter's comprehending eyes
rested softly on the coloneps grizzled
visage "Thurston," she said, II know
fhon
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 a yoke of
oxen"
Something Of incredulouS 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.
II reckon you've guessed It, honey"
he spoke at last, almost wonderingly.
But Ill be tarred and feathered If l
ever realized It until you told me. The
COED Lord above us, Mary, II ! was
elected governor and knew had to live
up yonder in JeR City for four years
ia die Of homesickness the first dash
out O the box. TIL amt no money and
no fame could pay me for dom it,
suhv'
Mu. Todhunter'6 eyes cleaned with
laughter. That's you all over. Thurs
ton, and wouldn't have you changed a
speck. not for anything in the world.
No, not even IL the dear Lord himself
told me he was willin' to do itv'
Colonel Todhunter contemplated his
wife gravely. That's q mighty lucky
thing. Mary be replied then. his eyes
twinkling Just tribe. Lucky for you
and 4 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
voices was heard from the twilight
shadowed avenue leading up to the
house. Then buggy drawn by high
stepping bay mare came into view.
That's Mary and STAIN Tucker
now" said Mrs. Todhunter. "And I'm
glad Mary's home. don't like that
skittish horse STAN Tucker drives"
..That there mare o STAINS amt q
bit more skittish than Mary Todhunter
q = t. T. 51t - .