The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-19

called the turn. sir, ana under the cir cumstances you'll have to agree your self that can't go now-not for a few minutes anyway"
 ''I don't agree to no such thing, you blamed young foolF' calculated Colo mel Todhunter. "Do you reckon Pm a-goin' to let you and Stan Tucker shoot each other full O holes or let you wait. unarned, for him to get a crack at you just because you've seen fit to come into town and begin drink in, suh?'
 Were both free white and twenty one, colonel,' said Tom Strickland. How are you goin' to prevent it?'
 At this Colonel Todhunter lost his temper. 'I'I1 prevent it by thrashin' you within an inch of your life, suh, if you don't turn right around and get out O this here barroom. that's howl" he announced resolutely. "I ain't a-goin' to stand no fooltshness, Tomv'
 That ain't fair, Colonel Todhunter,'' protested Tom Strickland You're Miss Mary's father, and you're my fa- ther's oldest and best friend, sir I wouldn't lift my hand against you for the world-but I've got to wait here till Stan Tucker gets back!'
 'Tom,'' said Colonel Todhunter, you've either got to go home right now, sub, or thrash me. or take the best thrashin' from me you ever got in all your life. suhp'
 Tom Strickland looked into Colonel Todhunter's eyes. They shone with the light of righteous battle. It was a preposterous situation. The humor of it suddenly struck the younger man, and he laughed outright. Then. sud- denly, looking beyond Colonel Todhun- , ter, his own eyes hardened into a dan gerous anger.
 ''It's too late, co1onelH' he exclaimed exultantly- Here comes the very man we're talking about"
 As be spoke Stamford Tucker enter ed the barroom, advancing directly to- ward him.
 ''I reckon you still insist on a person al difficulty with me, Tom Suickland?'' he asked. 'FYou ain't changed your mind none since the last few minutes ?''
 ''I don't change my mind that easy" replied Tom Strickland. smiling. ''Es- pecially when a little upstart like you gets to talking too freely about my father. You've got to stop it or else make up your mind to take the con sequences"
 '9t ain't what I've said about your father that's rubbing you the wrong way" retorted Stam Tucker. 'It's be- cause you've found out that Pm stand l in too good chance with Miss Mary l Todhunter to suit you''- i Tom Strickland sprang at the speak CT. As he did so Stam whipped out pistol. It was quickly done, but not 1 quick enough to give an opportunity to fire before the other struck Toms fist smashed into his face and feNed. him to the floor. The pistol flew ten 1 feet away.
 | There was moments silence. 'tGet up,'' said Tom. 'and come at me like man. I'll thrash you within an inch of your l1feP'
 Stam Tucker staggered to his feet. wiping the blood from his face But he made no move toward the man who | had struck him.
 Tom Strickland stepped coolly to where the pistol lay, picked it up de- 1iberately and put it into his own pocket.
 ''I'Il get even with you for this, Stricklandr' cried young Tucker. ''Tn even up things before I'm done with youP'
 "You'n never have a better time than right now,' replied Tom. 'But if you ain't in the humor I'll leave your pistol with the bartender here in a lit i tie while and you can get it later. But I give you fair warning. Stam Tucker. | The next time you make a move for a weapon you're going to get badly hurt I'll be ready for you since you insist on it.''
 Stam Tucker moved toward the door. His little eyes were venomous with hate
 "Pn get even with your he repeated. You'll suffer for this yetI' And then he disappeared
 You've played the wild on your watch. Tom,'' said Colonel Todhunter sternly. This ain't no time for you to be pickin' fights with old Eph Tuck CTS son. It don't look right, and it won't help your father none in his po- litical fight, either.'
 ''I didn't bring it on, colonel" re- piled Tom Strickland. Stamford Tuck CTS seen fit to say things about my father that no man can say and not get a licking from me, if I'm man enough to lick him. That's all there is to it, sir"
 To save his life Colonel Todhunter could not continue his rebuke But he managed to part from Tom Strickland with something like an expression of disapproval on his countenance
 'I reckon I ain't cut out to preach to other people what they should do and what they shouldn't'' he confessed l fO bimSoIf later Oucrhf to "a vn eriV-