The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-10

but a shrewd one. colonel They know
Yancey will get the solid vote always
controlled by the machine, and they're
working to divide the rest between
Strickland, Judson and Sanford SIR"
9TH be eternally condemned. Dick"
vociferated Colonel T0dhunter, III I'd
ha' believed either Hamp Judson or
Jim Sanford would lend themselves to
such game, sub. hate to think it
of 'em now. even on your say So"
1T isn't my say so, colonel. It's the
cold facts replied Dick Cantrill.
"Judson and Sanford both entered the
race within twenty-four hours after
Colonel Strickland announced his can
didacy down there In st. Louis. They
know they haven't got the ghost Of a
show for the nomination. All they're
working for is to get solid witch the old
Jefferson City ring by helping to defeat
Colonel Strickland. I'd be willing to
bet that their campaign expenses down
to the last dollar on the last day will
be paid by Yancey's campaign man.
ayers. SIR"
Colonel Todhunter looked at the
speaker indignantly. ''And you're
a-settin' there calmly. subj" he inquir-
ed. "knowin these things and not NOV
in finger to expose their gamer"
Colonel" replied Dick Cantrill.
laughter in his eyes. don't you be un-
easy. I've got my end Of the fight
started. At the proper moment, and
that moment isn't far off. you'll see
Hamp Judson and Judge Sanford
Jumping and bowling at every crack
Of the Blades whip, sir. I'll make 'em
the two sickest men in Missouri be-
fore I'm through with EN-"
THAT sounds like business" cried
| Colonel Todhunter. Much relieved.
Give it to 'em good and hard. Dick"
A little later, crossing the town
square, Colonel Todhunter held coun-
sci with himself
We'll. subj" he said. 1.-The owner Of
a newspaper ought to flop down on his
marrowbOnes every night and pray,
| Our Father. deliver US from tempta-
|
men more'n any other one influence,
and they know it. He sure must have
hard fight to keep straight. The
longer he stays virtuous the more
they're willin' to pay for him. I'm
| glad 1 amt in the business, sub. Old
Satan's got grip holds enough on me
as it is"
The colonel was still deep in phil
| osOphic musings, not more than half
way across the town square, when he
was Interrupted by genial hail.
"Howdy, Kunn'l Todhunter; how1y,
sub. You sholy amt gwine walk right
| pintedly pas me 'thout sayin' howdy
to YOU old Ant Mirandy, is yo', subj"
The speaker was fat, gray wooded
black woman, festively arrayed In a
| gaudy calico dress, bandanna hand
kerchief knotted around her head like
turban. big market basket on her
arm.
"Well, we'll, Aunt Mirandyr' return
ed the colonel. Il amt seen you for so
long that l reckon wouldn't ha'
known you anyway, you're lookin' so
peart and gayly. How are you, Miriam
dy, and how's that no count husband
Of your'n?'
The ancient negress cackled joyously.
II tell yo' de gospel trufe, Kunn'l Tod
hunter, and I sho ain tellin' you no
| lies-dat ar wufess ole man O mine
am sutt'nly mighty triflin', sub. He
fpp l.,
| nj. Whut you reckon done happ'n tc
him now, sub? Well, jes gwine tell
yo Dat ole Jed been out fshin' an
| come traipsin' back home wild de roo
mats, sub, an layin' fat on he back
gruntin' an groanin' lax he gwine die
ever mint, subj
you're too easy on him, Mirandy.
That's the trouble" laughed the colo
mel. You ought to take a broomsticls
and wallop him till he amt too proud
to work. the old rascal! Quit cookin'
such good vitties for him, Mirandy, and
let him go hungry for awhile"'
Old Mirandy rolled her eyes heaven
ward. "Kunn'l Todhunter." she CUR
gled. Il jess nachully KANT do dat. sub
faint dat ole Jed don't serve it. kase
he do, but he sho kin put up SIGH a po'
mouf, sun! He's de mos mizzabul mig
ger on em'ty stummuck. sun dat
amt got de heart to fuse him when he
say he hungry. Dass de fac, kunnl
jes' amt got de heart. sub"
"Well. but, good Lord, Mirandy. you
must be put to it mighty hard to tend
to your washin' and look after that
triflln' old scoundrel at the same time"
Il sho is. kunn'l. l amt nebber had
no baby what's mo- trubble'n dat ar
old Jed. Whuss doin' now. sub. but
rubin dat ole fools j'ints wild An-
ment whilst oughter be right at my
washtub all my time, sub? I tell you.
sub, l got to scrabble TO- libbin
wussn scratchin' hen desc heah
days. suh."
where are you Twin now, Miriam
n