Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-07-15

Colonel
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
Copyright. 1911. by the Bobbs-Mer-
rill Company.
Observation-Disclosures

eessseSsSsesse
II 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. 1--WE fought
'em the best knew how. but Steve
rancey's crowd is workin' Toms case
against us better'n thought was pos,
S.ble among folks that know you like
our Mizzoorah Democrats know you,
sub It's enough to make dog sick to
see how easy people can be turned
against man when he's In trouble.
I'll just be double whipsawed II II
ain't,"
That's all right. Thurs" replied the
other listlessly Don't you go wor-
rying yourself any longer about my
campaign knew I was beat the min
ute they got Toms trouble to use as q
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 a: the same time
But Colonel Todhunter fired up at
this. "I'll be shot full o holes II you're
licked-yet," he exclaimed. And
amt hurt any till you hear me boiler.
sub Don't you misunderstood me. Bill
Strickland acknowledge that we've
got hard row to hoe. but that amt
no sign we amt a-goin' to hoe II. Any
way. by Godfrey. we'll make an ever
mstin' good stagger at 1t. The next
best thing to livin' victorious Is dyin'
game sub"
Colonel Strickland shook his head.
There's mighty little fight left In me"
he spoke sadly,
I'LL do the iightin'." retorted Colonel
Todhuuter Then he looked his friend
anxiously in the face. "How's Toms
case goin'?" he asked.
1T looks mighty black" answered
the other Its going to be political
trial. bitter us sin. because the old
gang counts ON Toms conviction to
drive me out of Missouri politics The
evidence In the case Is all against the
boy. The courtroom will be packed
with Yancey heelers-there's no way
to prevent it--and they'll make every
demonstration possible to influence the
jury Aud 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 whiphano
anywhere We turn. Old fellow. l be-
lieve they'll have my boys life before
they get through The speakers
voice broke In spite OF him.
Colonel Todhunters 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 1t surely
ought to be mighty hard here In Nine.
yer to convict boy like Tom. well
known and comm of family that's
lived here 30 long. on circumstantiaI
evidence alone They'll try to do It.
Bill. but they can't Tom'll get the
benefit of the doubt"
There was something deeply pathetic
In this eager clutching at the one re-
manning strand Of hope. The two old
friends were now making their way
toward the jail to see Tom, Suddenly
they came face to face with Mrs. Tod
hunter aud Mary.
The girl advanced directly toward
them with outstretched hand. her moth
er following.
"Howdy. Colonel Stricklandr she
said. her voice trembling little "You
are on your way to visit Tom. aren''
your
"Yes. Miss Mary" replied Toms IA
ther quietly. 'The trial begins tomor
row, and only left him to meet Colo
mel Todhunter, and he's returning Will
me-"
Colonel Strickland" said Mary reso
lutely. though her voice shook mor'
than ever. II want you to carry mes
sage to Tom from me-"
There was curious little pause
Mrs. Todhunter laid ner hand gentl!
on her daughters arm. but the CIR
moved away from the touch, not harsh
", yet as II she felt 1t to be protest.
II want you to give Tom my love
| Colonel Strickland" she said. "And
want you to tell him. from me, that
don't believe one word Of these awfu
charges against him-not one word
either about STAN Tucker or abou
that-that grill"
And as she spoke Mary Todhunte
burst out crying. She dabbed piteous
ly at her face with her handkerchie1
unable to control her emotions. Ther
sobbing, she turned away with be
mother. no other word being spoken.
"God bless that girl Of yours. Thurs!
spoke Colonel Strickland. his own voic
unsteady. 'She's good grit clea
through-and. somehow, she gives N
more courage than I've had for man
day. They haven't got Tom yet
and they'll have the aght Of their live
before they do get himr'
| THAT'S the talkT cried Colonel Tot
hunter. Face 'em that way, Bill, an
we'll make 'em strain their souls fe
every inch they try to gainl They 81
| to do it-by the good God up yonder
them skies. Bill. they got to do itT
But the little flicker Of encourag
ment caused by a girls brave WORD
soon died away In the somber shade
Of Tom Strickland's prison. It was tw
very weary and gray faced old me
, who came away from the prisoner a
hour later and parted at the jails from
each to so to his own home.
That evening Colonel Todhunter wei
by appointment to the Strickland hon
. for a conference with Toms father ar
, Major Gentry Dryden. leading couns
: for the defense II was nearly mil
night when he returned to bis oW
home.
II He found Aunt Mirandy Ranso
! there. The old negress rose. trenblin
ut sight OF him. her black hands hu
:. tering toward him In instructive gla
ness OF welcome.
:. "Bress Gawd. yo' done conner 81
cried Il been eatin' my ole heart o.