Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-11

expected to roach al parts Of the state,
20 the sooner start the better"
"You start tomorrow. Colonel Tod
hunter" responded old Governor Les.
lie. We've already made the speak
ing appointments for you, and I've got
the list Of towns and dates right here
with me. It's a devilish big contract,
sir. and you won't get back here until
just a few days before the primary
elections
II don't want to get back here before
then 'less'n I could be of some use to
Tom Strickland" said Colonel Tod
hunter. sudden huskiness in his
throat as his eyes fell on Colonel Bill
Strickland's haggard face. 1.-THE main
thing l want is to give the Yancey
crowd a fight they wasn't expectin',
sub, and I'll be eternally condemned
If we amt a-goin' to do it tool"
Wherefore the following morning
Colonel Todhunter started out in the
lead of the forlorn hope that was to
make the last stand for Colonel Bill
Strickland in Missouri.
It proved to be soul wearying bat
tie. full of battling chagrin and disap-
pointment On the very eve of the
trial Of Tom Strickland for the killing
of Stamford Tucker. Colonel Todhun-
ter returned to Nineveh. He was met
by Colonel Strickland, whose face
seemed now not only haggard, but
hopeless.
They're pushin' us pretty hard. Bill"
said Colonel Todhunter. I've fought
'em the best l knew how. but Steve
Yancey's crowd is workin' Toms case
against US better'n thought was pos
sible among folks that know you like
our Mizzoorah Democrats know you.
sub. It's enough to make a dog sick to
see how easy people can be turned
against q man when he's in trouble.
I'll just be double whipsawed II 1t
ain'ty'
"That's all right, Thurs. replied the
other listlessly. Don't you go wor-
rying yourself any longer about my
campaign. l knew l was beat the min
ute they got Toms trouble to use as
weapon against me. But what hurts
me most now, Thurs. is that Cover
nor Leslie is finding it impossible to
raise that campaign fund we counted
on. I'm licked. and I've hurt you
mighty bad at the same time"
But Colonel Todhunter fired up at
this "Ill be shot full O. holes If you're
licked-yet!' he exclaimed. And
sub. Don't you misunderstood me. Bill
Strickland. l 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, Well make an ever
lastin' good stagger at it. The next
best thing to Twin victorious is dyin'
game, suhw
Colonel Strickland shook his head.
There's mighty little fight left in me-"
he spoke sadly.
"Ill do the fghtin'," retorted Colonel
Todhunter. Then he looked his friend
anxiously in the face "How's Toms
case goin'?" he asked.
ut looks mighty black" answered
the other. Its going to be political
trial, bitter as sin, because the old
gang counts on Toms conviction to
uT1No lie OuI VI MlSSOuIA pOlIlSS. Lie
evidence In the case is all against the
boy. The courtroom will be packed
with Yancey heeiers-theres 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-
lieve 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" he said
stubbornly. They can't do it. They
amt got nothin' against Tom but cir
cumstantial evidence. and it surely
ought to be mighty hard here in Nine
yer to convict boy like Tom. we'll
known and comm Of a family that's
lived here so long. on circumstantial
evidence alone. They'll try to do it.
Bill. but they can't. Tom'll get the
benefit Of the doubt"
(To be Continued.)