The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-03-27

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from beginnin' to end, and l had my
eyes peeled every last blessed minute.'
Il can vouch for that laughed Mrs
Todhunter. You can't keep yourself
out of young peoples affairs to save
your life, Thurston."
Il want to help 'em along. that's
why" .chuckled Colonel TOdhunter
"But must say ! had mighty hard
Eleddin' on that there job this day.
AT this every one laughed.
Anyway" continued Colonel Tod
hunter as they left the supper table
and returned to the front gallery, lit S
more the fault O the young men than
1t is of the girls. III be fam jiggered
II it amt. never saw such lot OF
1'n.run-if-you- touch-me beaux since the
STAMP
II hope not, colonel" replied STAN
Tucker, laughing. II certainly did my
best to give Miss Mary and the other
young ladies a good time He looked
a bit reproachfully at Mary as he
spoke.
Indeed you did, Stam.' said Mary
quickly, remembering Tom Strickland
better treatment by her. You're just
rs nice an escort as any girl could
ask"
Colonel Todhunter snorted. Long
sufferin' patience!' lac Knocked. That S
just the trouble. STAN Tucker. All you
Nineveh boys are good enough when
1t comes to fetchin' and carryin' for
the girls, but that don't count for
shucks. The sort O man they like is
the man that bosses EN- around. that
throws his handkerchief st EN- and
makes 'em come when he calls, and
none of you Nineveh sparks seems to
have sand enough for that. You needn't
tell me you've got it, STAN Tucker, and
not even Tom Strickland''-
Speak Of the angels, colonel, Tom
Strickland's own voice interposed from
the lowest step of the gallery. land
you hear the dutter of their wings!'
mo, don't, not by iugful," retort-
ed Colonel Todhunter, unrutfied.
''When any of you Stricklands begin
sproutin' wings, the worlds comm to
an end. How are you, Tom? didn't
know you We're there"'
Why didn't you come in to supper,
Tom?" asked Mrs Todhunter.
Il had supper at home, thank you,
Mrs. Todhunter," answered the young
man, ascending to join the little group
as he spoke. "Howdy, Miss Mary!
Hope you're not feeling tired after the
picnic. How are you, Stam:'
The jealous antagonism between the
two young men made itself instantly
felt. STAN Tucker plainly resented
Toms entrance upon the scene. The
latter as plainly showed that he had
come purposely to be in his rivals way.
The situation was greatly to Colonel
Todhunter's humorous liking
well, well!' he exclaimed innocent
". Great Scott and Maria. you must
have hot footed it away from your Wit
ties. young man! If your daddy'll only
get such move on for governor Well
win hands down.
{ Tom Strickland laughed ut all de
ponds, colonel" he made pointed an
swer, ION how badly my father wants
10 be governor. If he wants it half
as bad as wanted to call on Miss
Mary this evening. III back him for "
winner against all comers."
The note Of challenge was unmiS
taxable. STAN fuckers face darkened
with anger Mary Todhuntcr hlushed
to the roots of her hair. The colonels
grim lips twitched with amused ap-
Groval, his eyes twinklin= under their
Shaggy gray Drows. But Mrs. Tod
hunter came to the rescue with some
placid remark that eased the momen
fary strain.
A little later she and Colonel Tod
hunter Withdrew to their own end OF
the gallery, leaving Mary to entertain
her callers. Colonel Todhunter was
vastly tickled.
Lord, Mary" he confdcd to his
wife: them two young rascalS
wouldn't like nothin' hcttern TO get at
each other. hammer and t0nGs, this
very minute. declare. honey. this
here old world of our'n don't chanGe q,
bit It's precisely like our own young
days I'll be eternaly whipSawed If
it amt. and it's been that way for all
time-as it was in the bcginnin. is
now and ever shall be, world without
end, amen
And so profoundly interested was tn"
colonel that he would gladly have lin
gered to see which of the two young
men .'sat the other out" had not Mrs
fTodhunter fairly compelled him to ac-
company her into the house at last. IT
was with a sigh of genuine disappoint-
ment that he arose to do her bidding.
1 Bless my soul, it's as good as a
show he said. But l don't wonder
you pull me away from seem it. Mrs.
Todhnnter. Your daughter Marys
splayin' every one O. your old tricks
over again. You've got good reason for
not wantin' me to keep tab on 'em at
this late day. madam"
The moon had just moved males
Il u