Oxford Democrat., 1913-07-29
Mary blnsned rurtously as the other,
laughed.

when she ana Tom are married!
repeated Colonel Strickland. his eyes
resting fondly on Mary's face Doesn't
that sound good. thought"
Then he turned pointblank to Mrs
TOdhnter. when shall 1t be. Mrs
Todhunter?" he asked. "You and Miss
Mary have got to be good now and
name an early day. When shall 1t beT'
But at this alarming question Mary
herself gave a little cry Of maidenly
protest. frantically clutched her moth
er's arm and fairly dragged Mrs. Tod
hunter out Of range. yet not with entire
success. for the latter turned laugh
ing face buck to Colonel Strickland a,
she was thus conveyed away.
"Never you mind, Colonel Strick'
land" she made fleeing answer. I'm
going to work hard for Tom. ! ought
to do 1t, and l will"
That same evening Colonel Todhun
ter went to confer with the Hon. vii
liam ]. Strickland Mt bis home concern
ing the latter's campaign prospects
The outlook was not encouraging.
BILL" said Colonel Todhunter,
there's just one chance for us. Tom's
acquittal may bring about reaction OF
public sentiment in your favor II two
days Is time enough for the news tc
sink in and create the natural effect
They'll all know Of It The st Louis
and Kansas City papers are full Of the
excitin' story Of his sudden acquittal.
and every other newspaper in the state
will have lot about it That's where
It may prove boomerang for the Yam
cey gang. They worked up public in
terest In the case. thinkin' It would
ruin you body and soul"
Colonel Strickland shook his head
Its too late. Thurs" he replied. u
reckon I'll have to stay beat. But l
amt worrying about that l want tc
hear now that my campaign fund hae
been raised. so as to put you out OF
danger Of any loss"
The light of battle was In Colonel
Todhunter's eyes.
I'm thinkin' about your gettin' that
there nomination. Bill Stricklandr he
exclaimed Not about the money.
Now that we got 'em beat in Toms
case, Id like to whip 'em straight down
the line. sub"
The other laughed. but shook his
head. They've got too big bulge on
us. Everything's fixed now to steal the
st. Louis and Kansas City vote for old
Steve Yancey. and that'll settle 1t. The
judges and clerks of election are all
Yancey crooks. appointed before Bob
Peyton. the Yancey chairman Of the
board Of election commissioners in st.
Louis took sick and died and Randolph
Carter was named to I'LL the vacancy.
and the st. Louis and Kansas City vote
Is what's going to beat me-"
Colonel Todhunter snorted indig.
nantly. "A fight amt over till one side
or the others licked. suhr' he an.
nounced. And | amt licked till hGl.
Ter ''Nuff.' sub! Th' amt time now to
do no more on the stump. but I'm a.
goin' to send out q mighty big batch o
kilograms to our best workers all over
the state and see If we can't make
things count the way they ought to
rount When quit tightin' you'll either
see the worst whipped man you ever
saw IN all your born days-or you'll be
the Democratic nominee for governor
Of Mizzoorah, Bill Strickland!
Colonel Strlckland's weary eyes were
contemplating the speaker with
whimsical envy in their expression.
"I-gud. Thurs" he said, 81 never
thought Id begrudge another man his
pluck. but I'm doing that with you
now. my friend. I'm too tired to fight
any longer. old fellow. That's the
truth OF 1t. The campaigns over as
far as I'm concerned | don't want to
hear anything more but the final re-
suits. and I'm going to write my
friends In st. Louis not to bother send
ing me anything but that The truth
is. Thurs. this trouble Of Toms has
taken something out Of my spirit that
don't seem to come back"
It'll come back. Bill" said Colonel
Todhunter stoutly. And you've been
standing the gaff like gamecock. sun.
You've done all man in your position
could ha done. and your friends will
do whatever fghtin' remains to he
done. You just take 1t easy. suh."
Tom Strickland entered the room.
He looked pale and worn, but happy,
and there was a steadier manliness In
his face.
Mothers asking for you and Colonel
Todhunter, father" he said. "She
wants me to tell you that this isn't any
time to be talking politics"
Colonel TOdhunter laughed. "Aint
that Just like a woman. Bill?" he asked.
And Mrs. Strickland, for all she
knows, on the very edge Of becomin
the first lady of Mizoorah, sub! I'll be
hamjigged! Well. sub. l reckon the
good Lord who made 'em understands
'em. but it's a blamed sight more'n
do. Not even Mrs. Todhunter, suhF
He chuckled. Then he added. Least
of all Mrs Todhunter. subj"
Dick Cantrill. editor Of the Nineveh
Blade, Colonel Strickland's home Or
gan, enterprlsingly arranged for bull
Ietin service of election returns on the
night of the primary vote. and Colone
Todhunter and the Hon. william J.
Strickland were among the first to ar
rive at the Blade Office that evening.
Dick himself. with Lycurgus Quivey
as his assistant, was to handle the bull
letins, the poet schoolmaster's most ar
duous assignment being that Of keep
ING the Blade "devil" in swift action
between the newspaper plant and the
telegraph Office across the street There
was u quite considerable gathering OF
| Nineyeh's voters to hear what news
might come, and much speculation as
| to the result was being voiced.
"What do you think about 1t now,
Bill?" asked Colonel Todhunter as the
candidate appeared on the scene.
Just the same as I've been saying
right along here lately" replied Colo
mel Strickland quietly. "lll 20 into
Kansas City and St Louis consider
nbly ahead of Yancey. and I'd carry st.
Louis on an honest count. Kansas City.
being Steve Yancey's home. will roll up
a big majority for him, even II they've
cot to give the penitentiary close