Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-26
Colonel
TODHUNTER
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
CS5srlck.. 1911. b, the BOtbs-NerI
Compar,
CHAPTER ~.
Ma-y Todiiunter Entertains tn. Green
Eyed Monster.
Copyright. 1911. by the BObbs-MerrI
Compan,

Eyed Monster.
~ OLOSET TODHCNTER WIS
seated in his favorite cane bot
- toned armchair at he far end
Of the wide gallery extending
across the entire front o, his home. an .
old fashioned colonial house OF hos
pitable aspect. With Mrs. Iodhunter
he had just returned from the Daugh
tiers OF the Consistency picnic. and F.
they were awaiting the arrival Of Mary
and her escort. STAN Tucker. before
having supper
The TOdhunter residence stood on the
crest " a gentle slope overlooking the
pleasing sweep OF Missouri countryside
that interviewed between the town Of
Nineveh aud the colonels own peaceful
fields Of growing corn. Mrs. Todhunter
sat close TO her husband. her hands
folded IN her Jap. her happiness sweet
ened eyes contemplating the pastoral
picture that had come To seem vital
part Of her own life.
They'd better he almighty quick
about Gettin' here if they know what's
good for en-" grumhled Colonel Tod
hunter wistfully. I'm as hungry az a
young hound dog this very minute. I'll
he shot full Of holes IL my stomach
don't feel like my threats cut. Mary. |
could eat n grindstone right now II
somebody'd bust it Up and pass it to
me on Il plate for real vittes'"
You ought 10 lie ashamed Of your
self. Colonel Todhunter." smiled Mrs.
Todhuntcr. after that dinner you ate
at The Daughters picnic. declare 10
goodness was afraid they'd all think
you never got anything fit to eat at
home"
when I'm ashamed # having a
rooi appetite. Mary" replied Colonel
Todhunicg. and Special" It | ever
co;le tu that day when | amt got il.
III ask the Old MarSler up above Ia
r.iH me Ia nay heavenly home. Til ain't
40 igGu :,ot right ~ turn AWAY from
Wholesome titles when he good
Lords Leon buCaGrGl enough to per
vide EN- FOR t''at mans catiu' Nature
doat fewer give man such n ri~hi.
:. L,- Gets 80 lie can't relish his food
its one ~ her puu.s!!ucntS for his
p,asiu' tom fool with himself sinuin'
ava! slylaraiu' around And ] amt
never >"cu no trifer at meal times that
was & 90 do mans work.
Mrs T0dhunter laughed outright
III you're eating 80 get ready for hard
work. Colonel TodEuntcr. I'm certainly
glad 10 SOC you eat hearty, because
you're likely to be kept mighty busy
nominatin Colonel Strickland for gov
ernor " Missouri. You could nominate
yourself heap easier"
Maybe ! could. honey" replied Colo
mel Todhuntpr. but Bill S;rickland'S n
mighty popular man. all the same. and
he deserves to he. ] reckon ! could he
elected eastern him. too, KNOWN blame
nigh every Democrat in Mizzoorah. but
Id make a 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. 10 gain
honest ends proved it when he
was chairman OF the state committee
and that's what a governors got 10 do
TO accomplish anything worth while
That's why I'm workin' for Bill Strick-
land. He amt only my friend-he' s
far and away the best man for COVER
nor OF Mizzoorah visible 10 the naked
eye at the present wrihn'."
Mrs. Todhunter's compromising eyes
rested softly on the coloners grizzled
visage. "Thurston," she said, II know
better than that. | know better than
you do why you'd rather have Colonel
Strickland run for governor than 70 run
yourself It's because they couldn't
pull you away from Nineveh and this
cid home OF ours with a yoke OF
oxen"
Something Of incredulous surprise
flashed into Colonel Tudhunters face
Then his eyes swept Low ingly across 5he
familiar Missouri landscape spread out
before him. He booked at Ms Tod
hunter aud smiled
Il reckon you've guessed II. money"
he spoke at last, almost wonderingly
But III he tarred aud feathered IL
ever realized il until you told ne The
good Lord above us. Mary. II ! was
elected governor and knew had 10 live
UP yonde- in JEFF City for four years
Ia die of Inconsistencies the first dash
out o. the DOx. Tn ain; no money and
no fame could psy TIE for doin' IL
euhr'
Mrs. Todhrn,c-s eyes cleaned with
laughter. That's you all over. Thurs
ton, and wouldn't have you changed &
specG. not fer anything in the world
No. not even II the dear Lord himself
tnAA me he was willin' To do it,
ColOnel Todhuuter contemplated hi.
wife graveiy. That's a mighty lucky
thing. MARY" he replied then. his eve,
twinkftng Just a tribe. Lucky for yo,
and 4 blamed sight luckier for me
cause I reckon | got TO stay just like
am TO the end Of the chapter. ho5ey"
At that moment the sound OF youn.
voices was heard from the twilight
Swallowed avenue leading up TO I'd,