The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-18

things the way you've been threaten in, sir.''
 Dick Cantrt1 laughed. Sure. squire" he replied. '1 can wait just as long as | you can, reckon, but not a minute longer. Keep that in mind, squire not a minute longer!''
 A few moments later Colonel Tod | hunter was alone with Dick Cantrill '+That was a right lively session while it lasted, Dick" he chuckled. "You called old Eph. down almighty hard, I suh.''
 'sThe old scoundrel!' exclaimed Dick Then he added, '1 don't like to talk to a man of his age that way, colonel, but l that cold blooded threat against Lycur- gus Quivey, as defenseless a man as ever lived. sir, flung me off my bal | ance."'
 '1 reckon you ain't done no harm, Dick,'' said Colonel Todhunter. Are we gettin' any news of how the other side regards Bill Strickland's candi- dacy?''
 W S411 CO1OAOI, SI1AAOA InS o1d0O B editor, there's some mighty amusing surface indications. They haven't lost any time springing one old moss grown political trick on us at any rate, sir
 What trick is that?' quickly asked the other.
 ''Why, sir, they've induced Hamp Judson of Carthage and Judge Sanford of Bowling Green to come out, both of lem, in the race for the nomination. Each of 'em will take votes away from Colonel Strickland. It's an old move, but 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 l Strickland, Judson and Sanford, sir.''
 'T'n be eternalIy condemned, Dick voctferated Colonel Todhunter, eff I'd hal believed either Hamp Judson or Jim Sanford would lend themselves to such a game, suh. I hate to think it of 'em now, even on your say so."
 ''It isn't my say so, colonel. It's the cold facts,'' replied Dick Cantri1. '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 show for the nomination. All they're working for is to get solid with 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. agers, sir.''
 Colonel Todhunter looked at the speaker indignantly. And you're a-settin' there ca'mIy, suh,'' 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 stckest men in Missouri be- fore I'm through with 'em.'
 That sounds like businessr' cried Colonel Todhunter, much relieved. Give it to 'em good and hard, Dick.''
 little later, crossing the town square, Colonel Todhunter held coun- sel with himself.
 ''WelI, suh,'' he said.> "the owner of . newspaper ought to flop down on h1a marrow bones every night and pray, Our Father, deliver us from tempta- Hon-' He can help or hurt crooked men more'n any other one influence, and they know it He sure must have a hard fight to keep straight. The longer he stays virtuous the more they're wilIin' to pay for him. I'm glad I ain't in the business, suh. Old Satan's got grip holds enough on me as 1t 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, Kunn1 Todhunter; howdy, suh. You sho'ly ain't gwine walk right p'intedly pas me 'thout sayin' howdy to you old Ant NIirandy, is yo', suhT'
 The speaker was a fat, gray wooded black woman, festively arrayed in a gaudy calico dress, a bandanna hand kerchief knotted around her head like a turban, a big market basket on her arm.
 ''Well, well, Aunt Mirandyr' return ed the colonel. q ain't seen you fo~ so long that 1 reckon I wouldn't ha' known you anyway, you're lookin' so peart and gayly. How are you, Miran- dy, and how's that no count husband of your'n?''
 The ancient negress cack1ed joyously. 'I tell yo' de gospel trufe, Kunn'l Tod hunter, and I sho ain tellin' you no Hes-dat ar wuhess ole man O mine am sutt'nIy mighty trif1in', suh. He gittin' wuss'n wuss ever day, too, kun nL Whut you reckon done happ'n to him now, suh? Well, I jes gwine tell yo' Dat ole Jed been out fishin' an