The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-18
! Colonel TODHUNTER
 of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. by the Bobbs-MerrIlI
 Company
(Continued.)

CContinued.l
 Old Tucker glared at the amused speaker
 At this moment a fourth figure was added to the group. It was that of Lyourgus Quivey, the schoolmSster of Nineveh, a gaunt and homely repre- sentative of rustic learning with a face pathetic in its meek wistfulness.
 Well, well. LycurgusH' cried Dick Cantr1Il cordially. I'm glad to see you. BIest if hadn't begun to fear the Blade wasn't going to have poem from you this week. And that would neverNdo, sir!"
 Lycurgus Quivey cleared his throat nervously. ''I reckon you'll be surpris- ed, MT. Cantrin,' he said at last, ''but the truth is I've written a political poem this time. I know Colonel Strick- land so well, sir, and I like him so much that thought I'd write Strick- land campaign song. It might do some good at mass meetings and barbecues and such things, te seemed to me"
 Old Eph Tucker snorted and gIared at the embarrassed speaker. Colonel Todhunter beamed his approval. Dick CantrtIIAs sense of humor reveled in the situation i
 Bully foT you.- ElycurgusF' he ex- claimed. That's just fine! You bet the Blade will print your campaign song- And, by George, sir, come to think of lt, here's Squire Tucker doing his level. best to convert me to the Yan- cey cause. I'll inst read your poem to him and see if 1t won't bring him over to the Strickland sfder'
 At this old Eph Fuckers wrath ex- ploded-
 You won't do anything of the sortI'' he ejaculated. You and your fool poets can, go 1t alone supporting Bill Strickland. It's about all the support he'll getT'
 Then he turned on Lycurgus Quivey. "As for you, Mir. Schoolteacher," he snarled, '1f wr1tin' campaign poetry for Bill Strickland is the best you can do I'll see if we can't get you more time for it by gsttin' you out of the Nineveh school, sir. I can do it too. I'm chairman of the school board, and I'll hist you out of your job without lettin' any grass grow under my feet?'
 "No, you won't, squire spoke Dick CantrilI quietly. His steady eyes held those of old Eph Tucker with a dis tinct menace.
 Squire" Dick continued, 'I know you just we'll enough to know that yOu Lud6e LQaE LQTedL good. Don't you dare do it, sir. This man is worthy man in his place, and outside of his working hours he's priv iliged write P3etrys@to hoover and whatever he pIeases and to make his own choice in politics, sir. I give you piece of advice, Squire Tucker. Don't you lift a finger to get Lycurgus Qufvey fired, sir. If you do it'll be the worse for you"
 Old Eph Tucker glared st the speak CT "What'n you do, Dick Cantrill7 That's mighty big talk to come off of such a little stomach, sir. What'H you 10 if sec 1t to teach Lycurgus Quivey to mind his own business 2''
 "What'n do7~ repeated Dick Cam trir, his eyes flashing 'eI'II skin you alive. Squire Fucker; that's what I'll do I'll fay you from head to heels, sir. and then I'll hang your hide out here in front of the Blade office so the people Of Ninevehl can see just what miserable skunk you are, sir. If you're going to make a personal fight on this man because he backs William J. Strickland for governor of Missouri I'll make the same sort. of a fight from the Strickland side of that proposition. And you'H be the first man I'll make 1t on. squire. I've gOtfthe material to do it win, and you know it. You know your own record You won't last a minute if the Blade goes out after your scalp, Squire Tucker. You'll shriveI up quicker than a dry oak leaf in hell, Efr!'' e #
 A grim silence followed these words. Then old Eph Tucker spoke.
 well" he said slowly, ''it strikes me you're goin' off half cooked. Dick We've both lost our tempers a little