Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-05-27
NUMBER q
Colonel Bill Strickland smiled doubt.

Colonel Bill Strickland smiled doubt
fully. "Our side seems to think that
I'm the best man to make the race.
Thurs" he spoke, but you're way Of
II you think there aln't goln' to be Il
fight. It'll he hot and heavy straight
down the line Whoever wins will win
after the toughest scrabble you and
mo ever saw in Missouri politics. my
friend"
Il amt objectin' none to fight"
said Colonel Todhunter. But this Is
the fust time In the history Of Mizzoo-
rah that the Democrats nominate their
candidate for governor at the polls
stead of In q nominatin' convention,
and I b'lieve they're a-goin' to make
sure Of an honest man. 1t looks good
to me, sub"
Pausing for Just moment he re-
suIned. Here's the way | size up the
situation. MizzOorah Democrats know
now that the old gang Is crookeder'D
a dogs hind leg, sub. They know
you've been frozen out Of the state
committee craftsmanship because that
bunch amt got ne more use for youD
q hoss thiers got for square sheriff.
You stand for return to straight poll
tics In their eyes. And now the voters
don't have to leave the nominatin'
business to a convention that's fuller
Of tricks'n a cur dog Is Of heas. sub.
That's why I'm a-countin' on your
bein' nominated"
Maybe So" replied the other. But
the machines going to fight me all It
knows how from start to finish. The
fght'll begin right here in my own
town. Old Eph Tucker. the richest
man In Nineveh. is Stephen X. YAM
cey's personal representative In this
neck O. the woods. and old Eph Tucker
hates me so hard it keeps him awake
at nights"
"WeIl, suh," chuckled Colonel Tod
hunter, IF the old gang waits for Eph
Tucker to spend any Of his money In
politics they'll wait mighty long time.
sub. He squcezes ev'y dollar o his'n
till the eagle screams and flies back
into his own pocket, and you know it.
Colonel Strickland laughed. Sudden
ly lie held up one finger. What's
thatT'
A sound of strident music. punctuat-
ed by terrific and hollow thumpinSs
at Rhythmic intervals. came from the
little strip Of Nineveh lying between
them and the town hall.
The light of battle leaped into Colo
mel Todhunter's eyes. "rll be eternal
ly dimhanmed." lie cried. If 1t amt
that there Nincveh bugle and drum
corps that's been cavoortin' round here
ut the head OF the Stephen Is. fancey
Campaign club. You look a-here. Bill
Strickland. II them fellows has had
the impuden"e to turn out on parade
when were u-welcomin' you home To
Ninevch I'll sick our boys Oh to 'em rs
sure as Inv names Thurs 4. Todhun-
ter suh."
Colonel Strickland was laughing out
right. What did tell you?" he said
",rhey haven't lost any time declaring
war. and somebody's paying good mon
ey for 1t too
Colonel Todhunter leaned out Of the
carriage and spoke to the nearest
Strickland partisan. You run up yon.
der at the head Of that there band,
he said. "and tell Samson Meek to
come back here minute. ! want to
see HIM"
Samson Meek. leader Of the Nineveh
brass band hurried back He was SO
buttoned up and padded In his gor.
seous drum majors uniform. topped
Off with gigantic fur shake. that the
sweat poured down his lank and hon
est Missouri face like rain.
Samson" spoke Colonel Todhunter
ominously. III we run across that Ste
phen X. Yanccy bugle and drum corps.
I want you TO drown 'em out and keep
'em drowned out. sub DO you under
stand?"
Samson Meek brought his baton to
Z present. Colonel Todhunter. wen
smother 'em. sub. just been waiting
for the chance"
"rhen you go back and tell your
horn tooters what's expected OF 'em.
SUBJ" commanded Colonel Todhunter.
"'Sp.-.iully that little fat fellow with
the horn bigger'n he Is. Tell him 10
blow himself inside out. This here
Strickland parade ain't a-goin' to DC
Interrupted by no Steve iancey ana
Eph Tucker foolishness as long AS I'm
In charge Of the welcome ceremonies.
suh!"
Then he turned to Colonel Bill Strick-
land. THAT settles 1t. suh!' he snort
cd. "I'n he shot full O holes II don't
take the stump for you myself Bill
Strickland. If they're startin' the tight
right in your own town. sub. the rust
minute YOU come home. sub. I'll make
imperial Mizzoorah howl for William
]. Strickland. too. sub: hang my pic
ture II don't"
In full view Of the parading crowd
Colonel Bill Strickland grasped Colonel
Toihunter's hand. you old war
horse," he cried. I'D rather have you
stumping Missouri for me than ull the
state committee spellbinders that ever
breathed the breath Of life! Bully for
YOU, Thurs! Well fight 'em to the
last ditchw Great was the cheering at
this incident.
But the Strickland parade did not
encounter the Nineveh bugle and drum
corps and the Stephen X. Yancey Cam
paign club ut this juncture.
The encounter came later.
II came ut that tremendous moment
when Colonel Thurston 7. Todliunter.
sjestic on the town hall stage. was
lust reaching the fervid peroration ot
a speech that was to close with the In
spring mention Of the name OF tho
Honorable William J. Strickland rs
Missouri Democracy's sure choice fof
governor.
fro BE Continued