The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-05-15

ain uuTC any I'LL you uedr Aue uohcT,
sub. Don't you misunderstood me, Bill
Strickland. acknowledge that we've
got hard row to hoe, but that amt
| no sign we amt a-goin' to hoe it. Any
way, by Godfrey, We'll make an ever
lastn' good stagger at 1t. The next
best thing to Twin victorious is dyin'
game, sub"
Colonel Strickland shook his head.
There's mighty little fight left in me-"
he spoke sadly.
"I'll do the fightin'," retorted Colonel
Todhunter. Then be looked his friend
anxiously in the face "Hows Toms
case goin'?" he asked.
1T looks mighty black" answered
the other. Its going to be political
trial, bitter as sin, because the old
gang counts on Toms conviction to
drive me out Of Missouri politics. The
evidence in the case is all against the
boy. The courtroom will be packed
| with Yancey heelers-there's no way
to prevent it-and they'll make every
demonstration possible to influence the
jury. And every man connected with
the court wears the gangs collar. even
to Judge Pittman himself. II we ask
for change Of venue we'll jump from
the frying pan into the fire, because
| my enemies have got the whiphand
| anywhere we turn. Old fellow, be-
! Iieve they'll have my boys life before
they get through" The speakers
voice broke in spite Of him.
Colonel Todhunter's face grew hard
and grim. mo, they WON'T" be said
stubbornly. They can't do it. They
| amt got nothn' against Tom but cir
ought to be mighty hard here in Nine
| yer to convict boy like Tom, we'll
known and comm Of family that's
lived here 80 long, on circumstantial
evidence alone. They'll try to do it.
Bill. but they can't Tom'll get the
benefit Of the doubt"
There was something deeply pathetic
in this eager clutching at the one re-
naming strand Of hope. The two old
| friends were now making their way
| toward the Jail to see Tom. Suddenly
| they came face to face with Mrs. Tod
hunter and Mary.
The girl advanced directly toward
them with outstretched hand, her moth
er following.
"Howdy, Colonel Strickland" she
said. her voice trembling little. You
are on your way to visit Tom. aren't
you?"
"Yes. Miss Mary" replied Toms IA
tier quietly. "The trial begins tomor-
row, and I only left him to meet Colo
mel Todhunter, and he's returning with
me-"
Colonel Strickland" said Mary reso-
lutely, though her voice shook more
than ever, Il want you to carry mes
sage to Tom from me-
There was a curious little pause.
Mrs. Todhunter laid ner hand gently
on her daughters arm, but the girl
moved away from the touch, not harsh
ly, yet as if she felt 1t to be a protest
II want you to give Tom my love.
Colonel Strickland" she said. And l
want you to tell him, from me, that !
don't believe one word Of these awful
charges against him-not one word
either about Siam Tucker or about
that-that girl"'
| And as she spoke Mary Todhunter
burst out crying. She dabbed piteous.
| ly at her face with her handkerchief.
unable to control her emotions. Then,
sobbing, she turned away with her
mother no other word being spoken.
God bless that girl of yours. Thurs!'
spoke Colonel Strickland, bis own voice
unsteady. shes good grit clear
more courage than I've had for many
day. They haven't got Tom yet
and they'll have the fight Of their lives
before they do get him.
That's the talk" cried Colonel Tod
hunter. Face 'em that way, Bill, and
We'll make 'em strain their souls for
every inch they try to gain! They got
to do it-by the good God up yonder in
them skies. Bill. they got to do it,
| But the little flicker of encourage
ment caused by a girls brave words
soon died away in the somber shadow
of Tom Strickland's prison. 1t was two
very weary and gray faced old men
who came away from the prisoner an
hour later and parted at the jail's front,
each to 60 to his own home.
That evening Colonel Todhunter went
by appointment to the Strickland home
for conference with Toms father and
Major Gentry Dryden. leading counsel
for the defense 1t was nearly mid.
night when he returned to his own
home. ZIG -.
He found Aunt Mirandy Ransom
there. The old negress rose, trembling.
at sight Of him. her black hands 6ut-
! tering toward him in instructive glad
ness Of welcome. ..
Dress Gawd, yo' done come" she
cried. Il been eatin' my ole heart out
waitin' TO- yo'. sub! Kunnr Todhunter.
yo' got some mighty quick an ticklish
| wu'k cut out TO- 20 eff yo' gwine save
Mars Tom Strickland's life-das hue
come I hyar now to tell yo' erbout It.