The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-14

that are blended in the Missouri type
itself, Colonel Todhunter coming of
Kentucky stock and Colonel Strick-
land OF Tennessee. Virginia and New
England were the other contributors
to the blend. The three southern
states named are responsible for the
emotional endowment that has made
Missouri "spellbinders'' long famous
on the stump. The eastern states have
supplied that cooler, steadier and more
practical strain that constitutes Mis-
souris balance wheel in character ad-
justment.
and the Hon. William J. Strickland
moved through the applauding hosts
70 an open carriage.
After you, suh," said Colonel Tod
hunter, tremendously waving his COM
panion to the seat of honor. ''And,
sub, beg to notify you that this is
the beginnin' of your tr1umphal prog
ress to the executive mansion at JEFF
ferson City, suh.''
Renewed cheering greeted this i'm
posing announcement. The Hon. VIII
liam J. Strickland took his place in
the carriage. Colonel Todhunter fol-
lowed him. The mayor Of Nineveh,
the editor Of the Blade and other local
hicIes.
Captain Sim Birdsong OF the Nine
veh Light infantry, veteran of the
Spanish war, now stfnened until his
spine was as straight and rigid as a
Famrod. Ordinarily Sim was rather
an awkward young Missourian, sandy
haired, freckle faced and easily abash-
ed. But he became fercely martial
the moment he donned his regimentals.
"Cump'ny, 'tenshun-n-nr' roared Cap
tain Sim. "Carry-humps! Shoulder
humps! Right fo'ward-fo's right
march! Col'm right-march?'
Even as the thrilling Commands
were given and the Nineveh Light in
fantry, in column Of tours, came
swinging on and took its station in
front of the Strickland carriage the
NineVeh brass band at the head OF the
column struck up t'Stars and Stripes
Forever end the first parade Of the
Strickland campaign for the COVER
norship Of Missouri was under way.
Seems to me, BILL" said Colonel
Todhunter as the carriage moved off,
''that you came out for the nomination
at exactly the right minute in that st.
Louis announcement OF your'n. The
old machine crowds a-backin' Steve
Yancey to a fare you well, and the peo-
pies sick and tired Of the whole out
At, sub. miss my guess If tn amt
stampede in your direction"
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
If you think there amt goin's to be a
fight. It'll be hot and heavy straight
down the line. Whoever wins will win
T,I~
me ever saw in Missouri politics, my
friend
ST amt objectin' none to a 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 a nominatin' convention,
and 1 b'heve they're a-goin' to make
sure of an honest man. It looks good
to me, suh.''
Pausing for just a moment he re-
sumed. Here's the way 1 size up the
situation. Mizzoorah Democrats know
now that the old gang is crookeder'n
a dogs hind leg, sub. They know
you've been frozen out of the state
committee craftsmanship because that
bunch amt got no more use for you'n
a boss thief's got for square sheriff.
You stand for a 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 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
AfrT1 3OHf in
town. Old Eph Tucker, the richest
man in Nineveh, is Stephen K. 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, subj chuckled Colonel Tod
hunter, eff the old gang waits for Eph
Tucker to spend any of his money in
politics they'll wait mighty long time,
sub. He squeezes 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
" he held up one finger. whats
that?'
A sound of strident music, punctuat-
ed by terrific and hollow thumpings
at rhythmic intervals, came from the
little strip of Nineveh lying between
them and the town hail.
The light of battle 'leaped into Colo
mel Todhunter's eyes. "1'n be eternal
ly ffmhammed,' he cried, IF it amt
that there N1neveh bugle and drum
corps that's been cavoortin' round here
at the head of the Stephen K. Yancey
Campaign club! You look a-here, Bill
Strickland! If them fellows has had
the 1mpudence to turn out on parade
when were a-welcomin' you home to
Nineveh I'll sick our boys on to 'em as
sure as my names Thurs T. Todhun-
ter, suhr'
Colonel Strickland was laughing out
right What did 1 tell you?" he said.
'"They haven't lost any time declaring
war, and somebody's paving good mon