Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-05-14

against Tom Strickland to make it look
like political assassination. And it's
going to be pretty hot work, Todhunt-
err You may have more than one per-
sonal difficulty on your hands before
you get through with it"
I'VE needn't talk about that feature
OF it. Governor Leslie" said Colonel
TodhUnter. There won't be no trou-
bic 'less'n some O. the Yancey crowd
object TO mans talkin' straight from
the shoulder. We've just about so.
time now for lightnin' finish on the
stump, takin' it for granted that I'm
expected to reach all parts of the state.
SO the sooner I start the better"
-You start tomorrow. Colonel Tod
hunter" responded old Governor Les
lie. We've already made the speak
ing appointments for you. and I've got
the list Of towns and dates right here
sir. and you won't get back here until
just a few days before the primary
elections"
II don't want to get back here before
then 'less'n could be Of some use to
Tom Strickland" said Colonel Tod
hunter, sudden huskiness in his
throat as his eyes fell on Colonel Bill
Strickland's haggard face. The main
thing l want is to give the Yancey
crowd a fight they wasn't expectin'.
sub. and I'll be eternally condemned
If we amt a-goin' to do it too!'
Wherefore the following morning
Colonel Todhunter started out in the
lead OF the forlorn hope that was to
make the last stand for Colonel Bill
Strickland in Missouri.
1t 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. I've fought
'em the best | knew how. but Steve
Yancey's crowd is workin' Toms case
against US better'n / thought was pos
sible among folks that know you like
our Mizzoorah Democrats know you.
sub. It's enough to make a dog sick to
see how easy people can be turned
against a man when he's in trouble.
III just be double whipsawed II it
ain'tr'
That's all right. Thurs" replied the
other listlessly. Don't you so wor-
ryfng yourself any longer about my
campaign. knew l was beat the min.
ute they got Toms trouble to use as a
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 at the same time"
But Colonel Todhunter fired up at
this. "Tll be shot full O holes If you're
licked-yetv' he exclaimed. And
| amt hurt any till you hear me boiler
sub. Don't you misunderstood me. Bill
Strickland. 1 acknowledge that we've
! got n hard row to hoe. but that amt
no sign we amt a-goin' to hoe It Any
| way. by Godfrey. we'll make an ever
lastin' good stagger at II. The next
best thing to Twin victorious is dyin'
game. subj
Colonel Strickland shook his head
There's mighty little fight left in me.
he spoke sadly.
IN do the ightin'," retorted Colonel
Todhunter. Then he looked his friend
anxiously in the face. 'How's Toms
case goin'?" he asked.
at looks mighty black" answered
the other. Its going to be politica
trial, bitter as sin, because the ole
gang counts on Toms conviction tC
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. And every man connected will
the court wears the gangs collar, ever
to Judge Pittman himself. If we asl
for change of venue we'll jump from
the frying pan into the fire. becaus
my enemies have got the whiphanC
anywhere we turn. Old fellow, l be
lieve they'll have my boys life befor
they get through The speaker
voice broke in spite of him.
Colonel Todhunters face grew har,
and grim. mo. they won'tw he sal
stubbornly. They can't do 1t. The
amt got nothln' against Tom but Gil
cumstantial evidence, and it surel
ought to be mighty hard here in Nine
yer to convict a boy like Tom, we
known and comm OF a family that
lived here so long, on circumstance
evidence alone. They'll try to do 4
Bill. but they can't. Tom'll get tn
benefit of the doubt"
There was something deeply patheti
in this eager clutching at the one n
naming strand of hope. The two oil
friends were now making their wa
toward the Jail TO see Tom. Suddenl
they came face to face with Mrs. Toe
hunter and Mary.
The girl advanced directly towar
them with outstretched hand, her mott
er following.
, 'Howdy. Colonel Strickland sh
said. her voice trembling little 'Yo
are on your way to visit Tom, aren
, you?"