Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-05-27

the man that bosses EN- around. thai
throws his handkerchief ut 'em and
makes 'eln come when he calls, anC
none of you Nineveh sparks seems t
have sand enough for that. You needn I
tell me you've got 1t, Siam 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 fiutter Of their wingsr
mo. don't, not by 1ugful." retort
ed Colonel Todhunter. unrufhed
when any Of you Sricklands begin
sproutin' wings, the worlds comm tC
an end. How are you. Tom? ! didn'
know you were therep'
why didn't you come in to supper
TomY asked Mrs. Todhunter.
T 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 ure 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
fr,. HtyinO
well, wellw he exclaimed Innocent
ly. "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
pends, colonel" he made pointed an
swer ION how badly my father wants
to be governor. If he wants 1t half
as bad as wanted to call on Miss
Mary this evening. I'll back him for
winner against all comers!
The note Of challenge was unmis
taxable. Siam fuckers face darkened
with anger Mary Todhunter blushed
to the roots of her hair The cOloners
grim lips twitched with amused up
proval. his eyes twinkling under theii
shaggy gray brows. But Mrs. Tod
hunter came to the rescue with some
placid remark that eased the momen
tary strain.
A little later she and Colonel Tod
hunter Withdrew to their own end ol
The gallery. leaving Mary to entertain
ler callers. Colonel Todhunter was
,astly tickled.
Lord. Mary" he confided to his
wife: them two young rascals
wouldn't like nothin' better'n to get II,
uch other. hamlLcr ana tongs. this
very minute. ! declare. honey. this
nerp old world OF our'n don't change a
nit It's precis".;' like our own young
laws II! bc rtcrnally whipsawed II
ain't. ulIl It's been that way for al
inc rs II was IN the beginnin', Is
.iow and ever shall be. world withou,
end. amen.
And so profoundly interested was the
colonel that he would gladly have lin
gered to see which Of the two young
men sat the other out" had not Mrs
Todhunter fairly compelled him to &C
company her into the house ut last II
was with sigh Of genuine disappoint
ment that he arose to do her bidding.
BLESS my soul. it's as good rs q
show! he said. But don't wonder
you pull me away from SEEM 1t. Mrs
Todhunter. Your daughter Mnry's
playin' every one O. your old tricks
over again. You've got good reason fol
not wantin' me to keep tab on 'em al
this late day. madam"
The moon had Just moved males
dcaily out from behind little silver
dyed cloud. Colonel Todhunter's eyes
,wept across the softly mellowed Nils
souri night picture Then he nodded
his head as II communing with him
self.
you're right. honey" he spoke hnal
". Good Lord above us! I'm just as
much part of all this rs our old house
here or the trees and the grass and
them there cornfields way cross the
pike yonder. Go way from Nineveh
Why, they'd have to pull me up by thu
roots to make me do It. sub"