Colonel
TODHUNTER
of Missouri
By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS
kpyrtfit. 1911. by the Bnfcls-Merrl
Compaq
CHAPTER III.
"For Governor, William J. 8trlokUnd
of Nineveh."
e
OLONBL TODHUNTER'S
heart swelled with an unselfish
prldefulness.
The, favorite old Mississippi
teamer, Gray Eagle, now In full view
from where he wtood at the Nineveh
landing, wai bringing: homeward the
Hon. William 7. Strickland of Nineveh,
at last an avowed candidate for the
Democratlo nomination for governor of
Missouri.
Colonel Todhunter himself had or
ganized the . public reception at this
very moment awaiting the most distln
gulshed of Nineveh's citizens. "I'll be
shot full o' holes, sun," he said to Dick
Oantrill, editor and proprietor of the
Nineveh Weekly Blade, "if we don't
show the people of this here state what
Old Bill Strickland's home folks think
of blm, anyway. Th' ain't nothln more
helpful to a candidate than provln'
that them as knows the most about
him has the least against him, suh."
"What about. Squire Tucker's opposi
tion, colonel?" asked Dick Cantrlll.
"That's better'n his Indorsement,
euhl" retorted Colonel Todhunter.
"Long as I've known Bill Strickland
If I knew old Eph Tucker was sup
portln' him I'd be against him on sus
picion, suh, blamed If I wouldn't!"
Knowing the speaker better than he
knew himself, Dick Cantrlll laughed.
Colonel Todhunter and Colonel Strick
land were friends from boyhood.
Friendship was something In the na
ture of a religion with Colonel Tod
hunter. In his simple creed he did not
simply "like" his friends. He loved
them with a trustful steadfastness that
knew no limitations of loyalty or of
potential sacrifice.
VBarrin' his wife and children, suh,"
Colonel Todhuuter was wont to suy,
"a man's friends Is all that's worth
while In this here world of our'n. And
his old friends, them that was young
with blm when he was makln' as many ,
different kinds of a fool of himself as
the law allows well, suh, th' ain't no
price can be set on 'em, neither gold
nor rubles nor Jasper nor frankincense .
and myrrh, as the good book says, suh!"
Colonel Todhunter had been vastly i
impatient for the return of the Hon. J
William J. Strickland. When the!
Gray Eagle rounded the bend In the
rlvor two miles below Nineveh and
waked the Missouri echoes with the Yancey to a fare you well, and the peo
inellow tunefulness of her famous barl- P'e'a sick and tired of the whole out
tnno whlHtl the colonel's face became : At. suh. I miss my guess If th' ain't a
. - - 1
splendidly illumined.
"There he comes, folks!" he cr'ed.
"There comes old BUI Strickland, the
man we're n-goln' to nominate and
elect governor of Mizzoorah! All
ready, now? IIlp, hip, hooruy!
A mighty cheer rose from the crowd !
assembled on the Nineveh wharf Ixiat (
and smote afar the ears of Colonel j
Bill Strickland where he stood beside (
Captain Beverly Leigh on the Gray,
Eagle's upper deck. The candidate's j
eyes twinkled as they met those of the
wentherbeaten rlverman. j
"That's old Thurs T. Todhunter's do-;
lug, Bev," he spoke. "I'll bet he's got
nigh about all the male population of,
Nineveh rallyln' around him at that
landing. The old rascal!"
Once more the cheering from Nine
veh throats rose as the Gray Eaglo ,
Beared the landing, and tho Hon. II
Ham J. Strickland waved his hand to
ward the wafting multitude. It in
creased in volume as he made his way
downward until he stood pietortally j
framed lu at tho farther end of the.
lowered gangplank. It was a great
moment for Nineveh.
Already the Nineveh brass band waa
playing "Hall to tho Chief!" with tro-.
mcudous fervor. The gorgeously uni
formed Nineveh Light Infantry stood
In company front at parade rest be
hind the band. All Nineveh, it seem
ed, was assembled back of them on
the wharf boat and along the imme
diate river front. The ardent gather
- iug split the air with shouts of high
acclaim as the well known figure of
Colonel BUI Strickland crossed the
vteamer's gangplank. The next mo
ment Colonel Thurs T. Todhunter, ad
vancing, was seen to grasp his hand.
Knch man accomplished a splendid
cavalier sweep of his wide brimmed
soft hat. Then they stood facing each
other In a fine attitude of cordial dig
nity. They wero 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 ;inmod are responsible for tho
emotional endowment that has made
Missouri "spellbinders" long famous
'i Hie clump. Tho eastern states have
c
supplied that cooler, steadier and mors
practical strain that constitutes Mis
souri's 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, ceremoniously waving his com
panion to the seat of honor. "And,
suh, I beg to notify you that this is
the beginuln' of your triumphal prog
ress to the executive mansion at Jef
ferson City, suh."
Itcnewed cheering greeted this liu
postng announcement. The Hon. Wil
liam J. Strickland took his place in
the carriage. Colonel Todhuuter fol
lowed him. The mayor of Nineveh,
the editor of the Blade and other local
celebrities occupied the remaining ve
hicles. Cuptaln Sim Birdsong of the Nine
veh Light Infantry, a veteran of the
Spanish war, now stiffened until his
spine was as straight and rigid as a
ramrod. Ordinarily Sim was rather
an awkward young MIssourian, sandy
haired, freckle faced and easily abash
ed. But be became fiercely martial
the moment he donned his regimentals.
"Cump'ny, 'tenshun-n-n!" roared Cap
tain Sim. "Carry humps! Shoulder
humps! Right fo'ward fo's right
march! Col'm right inarch!"
Even as the thrilling commands
were given and the Nineveh Light in
fun try, in column of fours, came
swinging on and took its station in
front of the Strickland carriage the
Nineveh brass band nt the head of the
column struck up "Stars and Stripe
Forever!" and the first parade of the
Strickland campaign for the gover
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'u. The
old machine crowd's a-baekln' Steve
stampede in your direction."
Colonel Bill Strickland smiled doubt
fully. "Our side seems to think that
I'm the best niau to make the race,
Thurs," he spoke, "but you're 'way oil
j If you think there ain't goin' to be a
light. It'll bo hot and heavy straight
down the line. Whoever wins will wlu
after the toughest scrabble you and
me ever saw in Missouri politics, my
friend."
"I ain't objectlu' iiuue to a Unlit,"
said Colonel Todhuuter. "But this is
tho fust time in the history of Mlzzoo
rah that the Democrats nominate their
candidate for governor at the polls
'stead of In a nominatlu' convention,
and I h'lievo they're u-goin' to make
sure of au honest man. It looks good
to me, suh."
1'auslng for Just a moment he re
sumed. "Here's the way I size up the
situation. Mizzoorah Democrats know
now that the old gang Is crookeder'n
a dog's hind leg, suh. They know
you've been frozeu out of the state
coiuuilttee chairmanship because that
bunch ain't got no more use for you'n
loss thief's got for a square sheriff.
you 8taud for a return to straight poll-
ties In their eyes. And now the voters
don't have to leave the uomlnatin'
business to a convention that's fuller
of trlcks'n a cur dog Is of fleas, suh.
That's why I'm a-countln on your
belu" nominated.
"Maybe so," replied the other. "But
the machine's going to tight me all It'
knows how from start to finish. The
flght'll begin right here In my own
town. Old Eph Tucker, the richest!
man lu Nineveh, Is Stephen K. Yan- j
cey's personal representative in this
neck ol the woods, and old Eph Tucker
hates me so hard it keeps him awake
a"Well.98uh, chuckled Colonel Tod-'
hunter, "if the old gaug waits for Eph
" ' . ,
Tucker to spend any of Ms money in
t itles they'll watt a mighty long time,
suh. He squeezes ev'y dollar o' hlsn
till tho eagle screams and files back
into bis own pocket, and you know It I
Colonel Strickland laughed. Sudden-.
j ly lie held
up one finger. "What's
thnt?"
A sound of strident music, punctuat -
ed by terrific and hollow thumping
nt.j-hjtlimlojnt-rvals, came from the
little str!por TTmTrrS 7irrs lwtween
thtvn :iii'l the town hall.
Tho liaht of battle leaped into Colo
nel Todhunter's eyes. "I'll be eternal
ly flinitlainmed." lie cried, "if It ain't
that there Nineveh bugle and drum
corps that's been cavoortiu' 'round here
at the head of the Stephen K. Yancey
Campaign club! You look a-here, Bill
Strickland! If them fellows has had
the Impudence to turn out on parade
when we're a-weleoinin' you home to
Nineveh I'll sick our boys on to 'em as
sure as my name's Thurs T. Todhun
ter, suh!"
Colonel Strickland was laughing out
right. "What did 1 tell you?" he said.
"They haven't lost any time declaring
war, and somebody's paying good mon
ey for It too!"
Colonel Todhunter leaned out of the
carriage and spoke to the nearest
Strickland partisan. "You run up yon
der at the head of that there band,"
be said, "and tell Samson Meek to
come back here a minute. I want to
see him."
Samson Meek, leader of the Nineveh
brass band, hurried back. He was so
buttoned up and padded In his gor
geous drum major's uniform, topped
off with a gigantic fnr shako, that the
sweat poured down his lank and hon
est Missouri face like ruin.
"Samson," spoke Colonel Todhunter
ominously, "if we run across that Ste
phen K. Yancey bugle and drum corps.
I want yon to drown 'em out and keep
'em drowned out, suh. Do you under
stand?" Samson Meek brought his baton to
Colonel Todhunter and the Hon: Wil
Ham J. Strickland Moved Through
the Applauding Hosts.
a present. "Colutiel Todhuuter, we'll
smother 'em, suit. I Just been waiting
for the chance."
"inen you go back ana tell your
horn footers what's expected of 'em
suh," commanded Colonel Todhunter.
" 'Specially that little fat fellow with
the horn blgger'n be Is. Tell him to
blow himself inside out. This here
Strickland parade ain't a-golu' to be
Interrupted by no Steve Yancey and
Eph Tucker foolishness as long as I'm
In charge of the welcome ceremonies,
uh!"
Then he turned to Colonel Bill Strlck
land. "That settles It, suh!" he suort
ed. "I'll be shot full o' holes If I don't
take the stump for you myself. Bill
Strickland, If they're sturlln' the tight
right In your own town, suh. the fust
minute you come home, suh. I'll make
Imperial Mizzoorah howl for William
J. Strickland, too, suh; hang my pic
ture If I don't!"
In full view of the parading crowd
Colonel Bill Strickland grasped Colonel
lodliuntern hand, "ion old war
horse!" he cried. "I'd rather have you
stumping Missouri for ine than all the
state committee spellbinders that eve
breathed tho breath of life! Bully for
you, Thurs! We'll light 'em to the
last ditch!" Great was the cheering at
this incident.
But tho Strickland parade did not
encounter the Nineveh bugle and drum
corps and tho Stephen K. Yancey Cam
paign club at this Juncture.
Tho encounter came later.
It came at that tremendous moment
when Colonel Thurston T. Todhunter,
majestic on the town hall stage, was
Just reaching the fervid peroration of
a speech that was to close with the In
spiring mention of the name of the
Honorable William J. Strickland as
Missouri Democracy's sure choice for
governor.
It was a premeditated blow at the
glory of the Todhunter brand of ora-
! a. a. i i . .
TOr lD cuensnea pnue oi Lionel
Thur9 T- Todhunter's ardent soul,
Entering the town hall and defiantly
marching up the main corridor to the
wWe doubl d.oor" tnat aTe a Tl8wof
Strickland meeting, the Nineveh
JH? and drum corps, heading the
"theuSg SoS" '
'U It 3d aeSad earth
BUch clamor of trumPet Bnd
ur'. ... ... ....
It crashed Into and through the town
roof flnd tMeH back ,nt
, smote r
catnclysm,c 0, gound- It 8tlIled
tno el ce of Colone, Thu T Tod.
hnntip . f tlint . . tT
. f t ,mi . . .
voice of elemental chaos.
j And Colonel Todhunter poused,
crestfallen.
Then the lust of righteous battle
flamed from lil-j liidhjiiant eves. JTe
waved Id.-CrlAt bain wtVaJovI.tn
gesture. "Drive "em aw;iy, Satinou"'
he shouted. "You and Sim BIrdsong.
I ain't done yet!"
auu tne gallant rsitnson aieeK roe
to the occasion. With a mighty w;e
of his baton lie rallied his bandsmen
In -close order lehlnd him. Captain
Sim BIrdsong, no less dependable,
formed the Nineveh Light Infantry in
lino behind the band. There was a
magnificent flourish of Samson Meek's
sliver knobbed rod of office, a quick
command from Captain Sim Rtrdsong.
and then-
The Nineveh brass band and the
Nineveh Light Infantry deployed Into
the corridor and charged upon the en
emy.
It was an assault sonorous and Ir
resistible. Its slogan was "Hall Co
lumbia!" This gave the big horns an
almost unearthly opportunity. The
little fat fellow with the horn bU-
ger'n him" seemed resolved to obey
Colonel Todhunter's Injunction and
blow himself inside out." His fel
lows followed his example The re
sultant cyclone of wind clamor wiped
out the Nineveh bugle and drum corps
as if It had not lieen. Triumph shone
on the face of Drum Major Samson
Meek, truculently waving his glitter
ing baton.
But an ominous cry rose from his
front. "Rush 'em. boys'. Make a rough-
house!"
Even as the Strickland forces leaned
forward for a countering rush into
combat however, a resolute figure
sprang lu between the battle lines. It
was the figure of Constable Pete Fan
shaw, embodying the law of Nineveh.
It waved a sternly forbidding hand for
a moment.
"Noue o' that, you boys!" he shout
ed. "I ain't tnkin' no sides, but this
here's a public meetln' and It's my
sworn duty to see that there ain't no
dlsturbin' of the peace. Slam Tucker,
you turn your men right around and
march 'em out o' here double quick!
And you, Tom Strickland, quit your
edgin" up to git a lick at Stain! There
ain't goin' to be no flghtln' here this
load o' poles!"
Every young chap In Nineveh knew
Bete Fanshaw's fiber. He stood re-
strainingly between the lines. He was
not to be trifled with. If necessary
he could enlist either faction under the
Standard of the law. to punish the ag
gressor If battle were precipitated.
Stamford Tucker glowered at lilm
for a moment. Then his eyes narrow
ed In a venomous flash at Tom Strick
land. At last. Bulleuly, Tucker gave the or
der that set the Yancey clan In motion
to abandon the field.
War hud been averted.
And five minutes later, again getting
up steam, Colonel Todhunter completed
his speech. The Hon. William J. Strick
land udvanced to the front of the stage
and began his own address. Soon the
first 'rally of the Strickland campaign
for the governorship of Missouri peace
fully reached Its appointed In'sh, and
the crowd dispersed.
(To Be. Continued.)
is. sin, FORM-
ERLY ISS MOLLY GODWIN
IS MOTHER OF II FINE BOY
From Wednesday's Daily.
News has just been received by
.friends in this city of the birth of
a line baby boy at the home of
Mr. ami Mrs. John Shurigar at
Kenasaw, Neb. Mrs. Shurigar was
formerly Miss Molly (iodwin of
this city, a daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. . M. (Iodwin. and I he many
friends of the family will join in
wishing that the little man may
live to be a joy and com fori to
his parents in their old age. The
mother and little one are getting
along nicely ami the grandparents
who reside near Murray are great
ly pieaseti over the news oi ine
now in Id it ion lo I heir descendants.
VERY HEAVY RAINFALL IN
THIS VICINITY LAST NIGHT
from Wednesdays Dally.
This city and vicinity was visit
ed by a very heavy rain last even
ing that started about 8:30 and
continued almost all night, the
rainfall being slightly over an
inch. There was no particular
damage done in this section by
the storm, which seemed general
throughout this section of the
slate. The land of Tom Stokes
on the river bottom, east of the
depot, received another very heavy
flood from the subway and sewer
and the greater part of his corn
land is now under water, which
will make his chances of a crop
this year very slim. Some excite
ment was created on the streets
here last night by a report that
Omaha had been visited by an
other destructive cyclone, but
telephone messages to the me
Iropolis brought, the information
that no cyclone had visited there
and I he city suffered nothing
worse than a heavy rain storm.
Farm for Sale.
Anyone wanting to buy a farm
would do well to see W. H. Bryan,
county assessor.
Ill PLAITSMOUTH
ra n S AGO
Items or Interest to Old and New
- Residents of City Which Were
New Forty Years Ago.
Win. Neille lias gone to Oma
ha to "sit on Ihe grand jury."
I. 11. Wheeler, K. E. Cunning
liuni, .M. Dorrington and Win.
I.. Wells have gone to Lincoln to
at I end the (irand Lodge I. 0. O. F.
Mr. Win. Brant tier, an old resi
dent of Cass county, hut who has
boon Ihing in Virginia for the
past two years, returned to
Plattsmoulh last week, bringing
a wife with him. Will thinks Ne
braska is far ahead of Virginia.
lan McKinnou arrived safe at
Salt Lake one day last week, we
see by the papers he sent us.
Brigham immediately sent for
Dan to meet him by moonlight
alone and talk over the prospects
of Ann Eliza's getting1 some ali.
mony.
We had quite a little chunk of
horse race on the fair ground
track Monday morning:. Dick
SI reignl's black mare, Win. Jones'
roan mat e, Charley Holmes' sorre
pacer and Reese's roan coll nil
tried a hand we mean a foot-
and I lie roan coll (Reese) came
out ahead; whereby many Platts-
inotilh sports were badly sold.
Big Jerry is up again before the
public, in his role of a fighting
character, which he seems in.
dined to llll frequently. On Wed
nesday afternoon he went inlo
Julius Pepperlterg's and demand.
ed some cigars, refusing to pay
for them. Upon Pepperberg's de
clining o give (hem, he began to
i .u se and swear, and Peppenberg
-idci'cd him out of the shop, when
Jcrr; gae him a rousing blow on
lii head, knocking him from his
chair and dragging him out on
Itie pavement by the throal.
The by-slanders here inter fer
ted and amidst the cries of chil
dren, rushing of men and barking
of dogs, Jerry was marched tlrsl
to Justice Haines' ofllce, where he
again struck Pepperberg, and then
to the place where all such good
folks go, where he now meditates
in the retirement of his cell upon
I lie way of the transgressor, which
In his case ought to be much
harder than it is.
I.aler Jerry had his trial be
fore Justice Haines, and was
bound over in -MOO bail to ap
pear ut the next term of court;
failing lo obtain bail be yet medi.
tales in retirement.
Father Todd and Father Thoni
as held a sidewalk meeting in
front of the P. O. on yesterday all
about the W. W. W. (io it and
may I he best man win.
I lie grand jury was in session
lour days and reiurnei three in
dictments, one for murder and
two for felonious assault .
John ('. Knahe, a rale old tier
man gentleman from Ml. Pleas
ant, called and look a Herald
Tuesday.
Solomon, of I In; firm of Solo
nion iV. Nathan, goes east this
week for spring slock. I.ook out
for it caravan of new goods.
The court room hits been vastly
improved by putting in windows,
but the room is yet poorly venli
lated and we hear lawyers com
plaining' about Die bad at mo
phere.
Coal seems to be cropping out
all over about these times, except
in the coal dealers' yards, and
there it has been mighty scarce
for a week or so back. A friend
near our shoulder tells us that
good coal has been found not far
iroin I'lallsinoulh, and that an
Ohio company propose to take
hold of and work the vein, and
that another firm from the same
place will open a rolling mill here
if suitable encouragement, is
given. Here's a chance, business
men. Don't let her slip through
your fingers.
The Catholic festival on last
lltursday was a great success.
The drama of the "Charcoal
Burner" was very finely rendered
for an amateur troupe, and all
home talent nt that. Dick Clai
borne makes a good "Charcoal
Burner," and Mr. Young a tlrst
rale "Old Man." Frank White.
only needed a few hirsute ap
pendages to pass for the "Captain
wilh his whiskers," who took a !y
glance at the girls, just as Frank
does. The only farce in the busi
ness was whore Arden tells him
not to blush Frank White blush
ing, eh? that's good. Valentine
Verdict, Joe MacDonough, made
everybody laugh, though against
the statutes of William and Mary;
and Billy Neville took a wheel
harrow ride, that brought, down
the house, and Hilly and his
wheeler, too. Miss Robertson and
Mrs. Curtis acquitted themselves
manfully no womanfully, and
altogether the play showed that
c have considerable dramatic
talent here. "Paddy Miles' Boy,"
the afterpiece, with MacDonough
as Paddy Miles, just set everyone
screech inj? wilh laughter.
Rev. Chas. McKlvey of the
Plattsmouth M. E. church went to
Omaha last week and remained
over Sunday, and there was no
preaching in his church last Sun
day in consequence.
The Tutts are fairly moving
out. Very sorry to lose them two
stauncher, better men it would be
hard to llnd. John goes to Kan
sas and Andy down on the Repub
lican.
The new time table of the B. &
M. R. R. helps us out wonderfully
in going to Omaha. Don't have to
get up so early and can stay near
ly all day if necessary.
James Vivian, son of Richard
Vivian, shot himself in taking; a
gun out of I he wagon last week,
and now lies in a critical condi
tion at the Platte Valley house.
His arm is badly lacerated above
and below the elbow. Di Liv
ingston attending him.
Court sils this week. Judge
Lake and all the dignitaries of
justice arrived on Monday, and
have kept the usually quiet town
in hot water ever since. Fourteen
criminal cases are on the docket,
and a large number of civil cases.
lld, dusly, tired and thirsty,
our boys arrived at Hock Bluffs at
2:30 p. in., and-to one not used
to outdoor exercise, a ride of ten
miles through a tunnel of dust
and scorching wind is anything
but pleasant preparatory to a
close game. However, the cordial
reception and gentlemanly bear
ing of the H. B. club soon put U9
at our ease. The game was called
by Mr. Church, the umpire, and
who by his impartial decisions.
was soon popular with both sides.
Mr. Skill was chosen scorer, and
his "gleeful" tones were often
heard above I he din of the en
thusiastic captains. The batting
by the H. B. club was poor, not on
a par wilh their Melding. By
prurlice this drawback might be
remedied, which would make them
a formidable nine. The Em
pires" played equally as well at
the bat as in the Held. But Billy
Mann and Mr. Mai hew s deserve
special notice. Billy on lirst base
and Mathews at the hat. wero
simply "immense." The game
at the ninth inning stood 3d to 12
in favor of the "Fmpires."
After I he usual amount of
cheering was done we adjourned
to the pleasant rooms of Dr. F.
B. Heed ami lady, where a bounti
ful and templing supper awaited
us. llieir kind hospitality was
ippreciated.
The only nccideur of any con
sequence was sustained by Mr.
Oid ley, who sprained his ankle
severely in running to llrsl base.
Sonic of the "sports" of Plalls
iiioulh were along and (heir jovial
spirits flowed freely during the
game, f hoard several offers to
be!, bill the "takers" were few
I understand, however, that oim
gentleman of military renown,
came Home a lillle 'short.
From Our Ow n Report en.
BROUGHT BEFORE JUDGE
ARCHER AND FINED
From Wednesday's Dally.
This morning T. J. McFadden
was brought before Judge M,
Archer charged with being drunk
on the streets of the city in a
manner contrary to the peace and
dignity of the law, and the judge,
after hearing the evidence in the
case, decided it would require $5
and costs to satisfy the demands
of outraged justice, and tho pris
oner promised to liquidate the
amount today and was allowed his
liberty until' he could raise the
necessary amount. He was ar
rested last' evening by Chief of
Police Rainey while in an in
toxicated condi! ion and lodged in
jail over night.
Anyone wishing dressmaking
done, call on Miss Vallery. 'Phono
-J.
0-25-3td
