Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-30

Old Tucker glared at the amused
speaker.
At this moment fourth figure was
added to the group. 1t was that Of
Lycurgus Quivey, the schoolmaster of
Nineveh, a gaunt and homely repre-
sentative OF rustic learning with a
face pathetic in its meek usefulness.
We'll. well, Lycurgus"' cried Dick
Canuill cordially. I'm glad to see
you. Blest if l hadn't begun to fear /
the Blade wasn't going to have poem .
from you this week. And that would .
never do, sir"
Lycurgus Quivey cleared his throat |
neryously. Il reckon you'll be surpris-
ed. Mr.. CantriIl," he said at last, but |
the truth is I've written a political |
poem this time. l know Colonel Strick- !
land so well, sir, and | like him so
much that / thought I'd write Strick /
land campaign song. 1t might do some
good at mass meetings and barbecues
and such things, it seemed to me-"
Old Eph Tucker sported and glared
at the embarrassed speaker. Colonel
Todhunter beamed his approval Dick
CantrilIs sense of humor reveled in
the situation.
Bully for YOU, Lycurgus"' he ex-
claimed. That's just fine! You bet
the Blade will print your campaign
song. And, by George. sir, come to
think of it, here's Squire Tucker doing
his level best to convert me to the Yam
cey cause. I'll just read your poem to
him and see if it won't bring him over
to the Strickland side"'
At this old Eph fuckers wrath eI-
ploded.
You won't do anything of the sortr'
he calculated You and your fool
poets can so it alone supporting Bill
Strickland. It's about all the support
he'll eet"'
Then he turned on LycUrgus Quivey
LAS for you. Mr., Schoolteacher," he
snarled, IF writin' campaign poetry
for Bill Strickland is the best you can
do III see if we can't get you more
time for it by gettin' you out of the
Nineveh school, sir | can do 1t too.
I'm chairman of the school board. and
I'll hist you ont of your job without
iettin' any grass grow under my feetr'
NO, you won't, squire" spoke Dick
Cantrill quietly. His steady eyes held
those of old Eph Tucker with a dis
tinct menace
Squire" Dick continued. 81 know
you just we'll enough to know that
you're willing to make that threat
good. Don't you dare do it, sir This
man is a worthy man in his place, and
outside Of his working hours he's priv
n rift 70 VIII
md whatever he pleases and to make
his own choice in politics, sir. | give
you piece of advice. Squire Tucker.
Don't you lift finger to get Lycurgus
Quivey fired. sir. If you do it'll be
the worse FOR you"
Old Eph Tucker glared at the speak
Or. 'What'H you do. Dick Cantril?
That's mighty big talk to come off Of
such little stomach. sir What'll you
de if see fit to teach Lycurgus Quivey
to mind his own business?"
"Whatll ! do?" repeated Dick Can
trill. his eyes flashing IN skin you
alive, Squire Tucker; that's what I'll
do. I'll flay you from head to heels,
sir, and then I'll hang your hide out
here in front of the Blade office so the
people Of Nineveh can see just what a
miserable skunk you are, sir II you're
going to make a personal fight on this
man because he backs william j.
Strickland for governor OF Missouri I'll
make the same sort of a fight from the
Strickland side Of that proposition.
And you'u be the first man III make it
on. squire. Pve got the material to do
it with, and you know it You know
your own record. You won't last a
minute if the Blade goes out after your
scalp. Squire Tucker. You'll shrive
up quicker than a dry oak leaf in he'll,
SIR
A grim silence followed these words
Then Old Eph Tucker spoke.
Well" he said slowly, lit strikes me
you're goin off half cooked. Dick.
We've both lost our tempers q little
and probably said msre'n we Eiean,
Anyway | haven't done anything
against Lycurgus Quincy yet. Maybe
you better just keep cool and wait till
do before you start in to tear up
things the way you've been threaten
in, sir"
DheA '1htiiii Idu6heu- SURE SIdItS'
he replied. Il can wait just as long as
you can, l reckon. but not a minute
longer. Keep that in mind. squire
not a minute longerr'
4 few moments later Colonel Tod
hunter was alone with Dick CantriH
THAT was a right lively session while
II lasted. Dick" be chuckled You
called old Euh down aIrnightv hard
sub
The old scoundrelr' exclaimed Dick.
Then he added. Il don't like to talk TO
man Of his age that way, colonel. but
thnt cold blooded threat against Lycur-
gus Quincy. as defenseless a man as
ever lived. sir, flung me OF my bal
21cz-"