The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-03

Already the Nineveh brass band was
playing "Hail to the Chief!' with ire
mendous fervor. The gorgeously uni
formed Nineveh Light Infantry stood
in company front at parade rest be
hind the band. All Nineveh 1t seem
ed, was assembled back of them on
the wharf boat and along the imme-
date river front The ardent gather
ing split the air with shouts of high
acclaim as the we'll known figure OF
Colonel Bill Strickland crossed the
steamers gangplank. The next mo-
ment Colonel Thurs T. Todhunter, ad-
vancing, was seen to grasp his hand.
Each man accomplished splendid
cavalier sweep Of his wide brimmed
soft hat. Then they stood facing each
other in fine attitude Of cordial dig
nifty. They were prime types of two
Of the four strains Of pioneer blood
that are blended in the Missouri type
itself, Colonel Todhunter coming OF
Kentucky stock and Colonel Strick-
land Of Tennessee Virginia and New
England were the other contributors
to the blend. The three southern
states named are responsible for the
emotional endowment that has made
Missouri ''spelIbinders" long famous
on the stump The eastern states have
supplied that cooler. steadier and more
practical strain that constitutes Mis-
sourrs balance wheel in character ad-
justment.
Linking arms. Colonel Todhunter
and the Hon. William J. Strickland
moved through the applauding hosts
to an open carriage.
after you, suh," said Colonel Tod
hunter tremendously waving his COM
panion to the seat Of honor And.
sub, beg to notify you that this is
the beginnin' of your triunphal prog
ress to the executive ultnsion at JEFF
ferson City, sub"
Renewed cheering greeted this i'm
posing announcement. The Hon. Will
liam ]. Strickland took his place in
the carriage. Colonel Todhunter fol-
lowed him. The mayor Of Nineveh.
the editor of the Blade and other local
celebrities occupied the remaining We
hicleS.
Captain Sim Birdsong Of the Nine
veh Light infantry, a veteran of the
Spanish war; now stitfened until his
spine was as straight and rigid as Il
ramrod. Ordinarily Sim was rather
an awkward young Missourian, sandy
haired, freckle faced and easily abash-
ed. But he became ticrceIy martha!
the moment he donned his reglnentals.
'Cump'ny, 'tenshun-n-n" roared Cap
tain Sim. "Carry-humps! Shoulder
humps, Right fo'ward-fo's right
march. Col'm right-march"
Even as the thrilling commands
were given and the Nineveh Light in
fantry, in column Of fours, came
swinging on and took its station in
front of the Strickland carriage the
Nineveh brass band at the head Of the
column struck up STARS and Stripes
Forever"' and the first parade Of the
Strickland campaign for the COVER
norship Of Missouri was under way.
Seems to me. Bill" said Colonel
Todhunter as the carriage moved off,
"'that you came out for the nomination
at exactly the right minute in that ST.
Louis announcement Of your'n. The
old machine crowds a-backin' Steve
Yancey to fare you we'll. and the peo-
pies sick and tired Of the whole out
fit, sub. l miss my guess If tn amt
stampede in your direction"
Colonel Bill Strickland smiled doubt
fully. "Our side seems to think that
I'm the best man to make the race,
Thurs" he spoke, but you're way off
if you think there amt goin' to be a
fight. It'll be hot and heavy straight
down the line. Whoever wins will win
after the toughest scrabble you and
me ever saw in Missouri politics. my
friend
Il amt objectin' none to a fight"
said Colonel Todhunter. But this Is
the fust time in the history Of Mizzoo-
rah that the Democrats nominate their
candidate for governor at the polls
stead of in nominatin' convention.
and l blieve they're a-goin' to make
sure of an honest man. 1t looks good
to me, sub
Pausing for just moment he re-
sumed. Heres the way l size up the
situation. Mizzoorah Democrats know
now that the Old gang is crookeder'n
a dogs hind leg, sub. They know
you've been frozen out of the state
committee craftsmanship because that
bunch amt got no more use for you'n
boss thief's got for square sheriff.
You stand for return to straight poll
tics in their eyes. And now the voters
don't have to leave the uominatin'
business to a convention that's fuller
of trcks'n a cur dog is Of deas. sub.
That's why I'm a-countip' on your
bein' nominated"
Maybe So" replied the other But
the machines going to fight me all it
knows how from start to finish. The
ight'll begin right here in my own
town. Old Eph Tucker. the richest
man in Nineveh, is Stephen *. Yam
NO In,