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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 24, 1913)
Colonel TODHUNTER of Missouri By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS Copyrioht. 1911. by tho Bolbs-MtfrB Company CHAPTER XI. Tragedy en tha Road. SHORTLY after noon the next day Colonel Todbunter stopped In at the Strlcklauds' on bU way home, as was not unusual for him to do. In reply to an apparently careless question, Margaret Strickland, Tom's eldest sister, told him that Tom had gene Into town soon after break fast Colonel Todbunter returned Into Nin eveh at once, after explaining to Mar garet Strickland that be had forgotten to execute certain housekeeping mis sions for Mrs. Todbunter before driv ing out But be found no trace of Tom Strickland until be came to a certuln barroom frequented mainly by the Yancey and Tucker factions In politics. "Colonel," said the bartender, In an swer to a question, "Tom Strickland was in here, sir, about two hours ago, lookln' for Stam Tucker. Not flndin' him, and waltln' here quite awhile In hopes of bis turnln' up, be wrote a note yonder at that table and sent it out by one of the town boys to Stam's bouse. Then he went away, sir." "nave you any Idea where he went?" The bartender hesitated for a mo ment Then: "Well, Colonel Todhunt er," he said at last, "I believe, from the way he was talkln, that be went to see that girl, Lottie-May Doggett, that the scandal's about now, sir. lie was drlnkln' pretty heavy, colonel, and he talked pretty threatenln about Stam Tucker, and It seemed to me that the two things was connected In some way his trouble with Stam and his trou ble wltb the girL I'm Inclined to tblnk there's a difficulty brewln', colonel!" Leaving tbe barroom, Colonel Tod bunter drove directly out to old Rafe Doggett's place. Neither the girl nor her grandfather was at home. Return ing Into Nineveh be encountered Sim Blrdsong, who wore an anxious face. "I've Just seen Stam Tucker, sub!" cried Sim. "W aren't a bit too soon In layln' our plans to prevent trouble, Colonel Todbunter. lie's just got a note from Tom Strickland tellln' him to come Into town tonight If he don't want to have serious trouble at his own home Instead, so It's plain that Tom Strickland's on the warpath, sun." "What's Stam Tucker goin to do?" "He ain't goin Into town, colonel. He told me that he had an engage ment to call on a young lady, so ho wouldn't be at home anyway If Tom came there lookln' for him, and, be sides, he says he'll do most anything j to prevent trouble Just at this time. Fle's as anxious to get away on that Qshln' frolic as we are to have him Set away, Colonel Todbunter." "I'm powerful glad to hear It." com mented the colonel. "Well, with Stam Tucker not goin' into town and not stayin' at home and Tom Strickland not knowln where he's to be found, I reckon things are pretty tolerable safe for tonight But don't you fall to get Stam off on that fishing Jaunt before laybreak tomorrow, Sim." "I won't, suh," promised Sim Bird song earnestly. "I'll get him If I have to drag him by tbo scruff o' the neck I" Arising early the next morning. Colonel Todhunter drew in a deep breath of fresh air, grateful of soul. "Thank the Lord!" he said to him self. "Stam Tucker's gona with Sim ind the other boys, and we've got a few days' breathlu' time anyway be fore there's any further danger." But even as Colonel Todhunter thus moko young Stamford Tucker lay lead at home. He had been shot the light before, and Tom Strickland now ins held a prisoner" In the little Nine teh Jail neeused of his murder. A messenger tearing these dreadful :idings arrived ns the colonel stood on ;he front gallery enjoying the fresh ness of tbo morning. He came from Tom Strickland himself. .Colonel Todhunter received the news tj silence, his gray brows bent until lis eyes were but two glints of metal- I 1c blue gray beneath, his grim lips set n an lnflexlblo Hue. "Tell Tom I'll be with him right iway," he snld at the story's comple tion. "And tell hlni to keep his cour tgo up I'm going to do everything 1 :an for him." Nevertheless the colonel's own heart was heavy for Mary's snke, for Tom's lire peril and knowing well that it (vould all come near to breaking the ieart of Colonel Bill Strickland, his lifelong friend. But It was no time to lit in cold Judgment upon Tom's sin. The boy must receive all the help that was In the power of m?rtal man to live. Halting a moment at Hie Nineveh Hotel to send a telegram to the Hon. "William J. Btiickland, how himself campaigning In northern Missouri, Culouol Todbunter then hurried to the Jail. Tlio inomcut bis eyes fell on Tom Strickland's fuce ho knew that tho lad had been drluklng heavily. The two clHHpeJ hands and stood facing each itlifr In silence. At last tho colonel fTO I j I sir ; if V spoke. "Tom," he said. "I want to tell yon at the start that I'm goin' to accept every word you say as gospel, and 1 want you to tell me the whole truth. Then while we're waltln for your fa ther to get here IH know better what to do In bcglnnln' arrangements for your defense. You must tell me the God's truth, my boy." Tom Strickland's plucky eyes, un flickering, though still bloodshot from overnight drinklug, held those of the speaker In a level glance. "I'll tell you the truth, colonel," he answered. "I won't vary from It by a hair if I know it." "How did the meetln between you and Stam Tucker come about, Tom?" asked Colonel Todhunter. "Tell me Just when and how you killed him." "Colonel," replied Tom Strickland, "I have no recollection of killing Stam Tucker last night I don't even remem ber meeting him." "What do you mean by that?" "I mean that I started out to meet Stam, and that It was my intention to kill him if he didn't publicly tell the truth about him and Lottie-May Dog gett hut I ain't clear In my mind as to what happened after I left Nick Bledsoe's barroom. I got to drinking there, thinking while I was waiting for Stam Tucker to keep an appointment that I made by letter, and I got tired waiting for Stam to show up, so 1 start ed out to go to his bouse, seeing ns how be wouldn't come to tbe place I had named. This much I remember, and I've got a confused recollection of wan derlng about tho edge of town, but the first thing I remember with any dis tinctness after leaving Nick Bledsoe's, is finding myself In tbe Nlucvch hotel barroom drinklig again. Whatever happened between is gone from my memory. I was drinking hard, Colonel Todhunter, and that's all there Is to It. I started drinking because I bad lost well, I didn't care what happened to me, sir," Tom concluded. "You were armed, of course, when you went to meet Stam and have It out with him?" "Yes, sir; I bad my pistol on me." "Well, then well, then, Tom when you were arrested this mornlu' after Stam Tucker's body was found on the side of tbe road halfway between his home and tbe town, what story did your gun tell, boy? If you had bad a shootln' scrape durlu' that time your weapon would huve said so a man In your condition, with this difficulty settled, wouldn't have reloaded bis gun. What fix was yours In, Tom?" "That was the first thing the deputy sheriff looked at when he placed mo under arrest," said Tom Strickland, his eyes dumbly perplexed. "Colonel Todhunter, one chamber of my pistol was empty., I reckon I must surely have met Stam on tbo road and killed him." "Tom," said Coionel Todhunter, al most pleadingly, "whatever way Stam Tucker was killed ho got one shot at the man that killed him. Ills own weapon was a-lajiu' right at his hand when they found him, and one bullet bad been fired from It. In God's name, my boy, If you was that other man you must have some sort of recollec tlou of the shootln' scrape. It's the truth I'm tryln' to get at Tom; the truth of how Stam Tucker came to his death. If you killed him we've got to know it, because the whole line of de fense has got to bo based on absolute knowledge of the truth of whether or not It was you that shot and killed Stam Tucker lust night. Dig down in your mind. Tom. My God, boy, you've got to remember everything you did every minute of the time you say you was out lookln' for Stam Tucker!" Tom Strickland drew a deep breath. "It must have been me that killed him," he said. "I was on my way to do It And who else wanted to kill him? But I can't remember anything about it Colonel Todhunter. I'd bo glad if I could." Colonel Todhunter sat helpless for a moment Finally, "Did you go home after tho hotel bar was closed?" he asked. "No, sir. I slept nt tho hotel last niKht." "Whnt time were you arrested?" "About C o'clock." "Yesterday afternoon, when you had been to Nick Bledsoe's barroom for tho Dr8.Ltl.mei. diiLjoutheiLgoojiLta-aco Lottie-May "RogsHt a you told" Nick you was a-golu" to do?" "Yes. sir." "Did you see her?" "Yes, sir. I asked her to tell the truth and acknowledge that I bad nothing to do with her disgrace. I told her If she didn't I was going to see Stam Tucker and make him do It or else kill him." "What did she say to that?" "She laughed at me. That girl's a she devil. Colonel Todhunter. She wouldn't even acknowledge to me that she bad lied in telling Mrs. Todhunter what she did. She Just laughed." . "You also hluted to Nick Bledsoe that there was some serious trouble brewln' between you and Stam about Lottie-. May. didn't you?" "I believe I did. sir." "And you told him you were bound for Stam Tucker's when you left his barroom last night?" "I seem to remember saying some thing of the sort, Colonel Todhunter. 1 reckon I gave blm a pretty good Ink ling of the whole affair." "The man you sent to tell mc of your arrest says that Stain Tucker's mother and sister says that Stam left his home about the same tinio, accordin' ib Nick Bledsoe's story, that you left Nick's place to go out there." "It's likely, sir, that he was coming in to meet me in answer to my letter." "Tom, that would have brought you and Stam Tucker together about half way between his home and the town." "Yes, sir." "And Stam's body was found beside the road Just about hulfway between his home and the town." "I know It, coloneL The evidence against me is about as complete as It could be, unless somebody saw me kill Stam. I wish they did, If I killed blm, It wouldn't look so much like a cold blooded murder lu the dark then." Colonel Todhunter went direct from the Jail to the home of Lottie-May Dog gett. This time he found the girl there. She met blm with a defiant look In her eyes, but it seemed to Colonel Tod hunter that there was something of dread as well, and her manner, despite a certain bravado, suggested a hauut iugfear. "If It's grandfather you want to see, Colonel Todhunter," she said, hq voice not quite steady, "he ain't al hme right now. He got some work ielpln' Lute Burroughs with his bosses, and it keeps blm over there most o' tbe daytime." "It ain't your grandfather, Lottie May," replied Colonel Todhunter; "it's you I come to see. But I wish he was here, because I reckon I've got to have a right plain talk with you, and I'd rather Rafo was present while we're a-havln' it" The girl shrank back suddenly, "Then maybe you better call again," she quickly suggested, uneasiness and the hope of iAay expressed in her face. "It 11 keen till some time when he's home surely, Colonel Todbunter, "No, Lottie-May. it won't. That's why I've come straight out to see you after leavln Tom Strickland a prison er In the Nineveh Jail. Stam Tucker's been shot and killed, and Tom's acens ed of murderln' him. Lottie-May." Tbe girl gave a little cry, whitening te the lips. She stood facing the colo nel with horror stricken eyes. "Lottio-May," continued Colonel Todhunter, "the time has conio when you must tell the truth about Tom Strickland. His life Is lu danger, not to speak of bis bcln' disgraced through what you said about him and your story caused him to be lookln' for troublo with Stam Tucker and we've got to know the truth as to whether it was him or Stam Tucker that you had tho right to accuse before every body at the party that night" A sudden light of flory venom leap cd Into Lottie-May Doggett's passion ate eyes. "It ain't me that's to blame!" she cried. "Tom Strickland wanted to kill Stam Tucker becnuso bo knew that "The time hat come when you must tell the truth about Tom Strickland." Stam Tucker would marry Miss Mary Todhunter, your daughter, now that she's got to throw him over. It's her that's to blame for the kllliu' not mol' Something came Into the girl's throat that seemed to cboko her. Sho threw her bands up to her eyes and began sobbing. "Ho wa'n't thinkln' about mo at nil: Bho cried brokenly. "And Stam Turk cr didn't really care not bin' for me neither. They wus Loth 'em think In' about. Miss Marx Todhunter. I aJn't Dothin' but poor white trash in their eyes, to be th'owed like a rag to one side. And Tom Strickland knows I love him with all my heart and all my soul!" Here her voice broke piti fully. Then, "And he wouldn't ha' known anything about Stam Tucker's makln' love to me if I hadn't told him myself Yet be don't think nothln' about me lt's only how be can clear his own skirts by loadln' the blame on Stam. And If be killed him he killed blm for your daughter Mary's Hake, out o' Jeal ousy, and nothlu' else in the wide world! Well. I've done said my say, and you all got to take it for the truth whether you're willln' or not Stam Tucker's dead and gone, but that ain't t-goln' to clear the way for Tom Strick land to marry Miss Mary Todhunter. I've told her mother tbe truth, and you and Mrs. Todhunter can't let her marry Tom Strickland with the blame for my ruination restln' on his good name." She threw back ber head and laugh ed at him mockingly. 'You've come here to make me help you to get Tom Strickland out o dan ger, ain't you, Colonel Todhunter? You're Just like all the rest of 'era. I'm settled and done for. I'm dirt under you all's feet "But maybe 1 can help save Tom Strickland If I tell tbe right sort of a story-thafs It ain't It? Well, I ain't goin' to do It Colonel Tod- huntort" "Tom Strickland's got Just one chance for his life, Lottie-May," said Colonel Todhunter, "and that Is, to prove that you accused him of a ein that ought to ha' been laid at Stam Tucker's door In stead and that he quarreled with Stam and killed him for refuslu' to acknowl edge publicly that this was the truth. Even this ain't much of a chance, but if we don't get It Tom Strickland's go-- in' to the gallows Just as certain as the sun rises and sets. t you told what ain't so, Lottie-May, his blood will be on your head." The girl shrank back and shivered as If she had been struck. Then, again, the hard mocking light leaped Into her eyes, and she laughed aloud. "And if I change my story to please you all," sho scoffed, "what does it amount to, Colonel Todhunter? Just two things, and I'll tell you what tbey are. I help to get Tom Strickland out o' danger for klllln' Stam Tucker, and I clear bis good name so be can go straight and marry your daughter Mary. That's what I do-if I'm wlllin' to tell the story you all want me to tell, and so lift my shame off'n Tom Strickland and put it on a dead man Instead put it on Stam Tucker, that was shot and killed by Tom Strickland because both of 'em loved Miss Mary Todhunter!" "I'm askln' you to tell tbo truth, Lottie-May!" said Colonol Todbunter; "that's all. I'm askln' you to tell me now what you will surely have to tell under oath In the Nineveh courtroom at Tom Strickland's trial unless you mean to perjure your soul by klsslu' the Bible and then swearln' to a He. That's where you are, my girl I If you told the truth In what you said to Mrs. Todbunter about Tom Strickland I ain't got another word to Buy. But. If you didn't, for God's sake tell It now, Lottie-May. and help me and Tom's father to save bis life!" Again the girl's face had whitened as Colonel Todhunter so suddenly ac quainted her with the fact that le must needs be n witnuss for or ugolnst Tom Strickland when he was placed on trial for his life. And again, suc ceeding this, ber eyes hardened with the deadly rancor born of her secret thoughts. "I told Mrs. Todhunter the truth," Blie replied. "What 1 told her I -I'll tell lu court, if 1 got to. I might tie willln' to tell-I might be wlllin' to tell a lie for Tom Strickland's sake It It wa'n't for Miss Mary Todhunter, but I can't do It for ber, aud I won't! It ain't In my Mood to let another wo man walk on no to get to the man I love, Colonel Todhunter, and you and all the rest of 'em might ns well know It onco and for all! I got tho same shame on me now that my mother had. and I'm her daughter, body and soul!" Colonel Todhunter looked at Lottie May Doggett long and silently. Ills face was gravo when ho spoke. "That's all I wanted to see you about, Lottie-May." he said finally. "It looks like I boon on a fool's er rand, but I've done tho best I could. Ooodby, child, and you better think over what I'vo been sayln' to you after I'm gone." ' Oddly enough, n little sol) broke from the girl's throat as the colonel spoke. The next moment, with one hand fluttering nervously at her Ikh om, she closed the door behind Itlni. Crossing the country road a few rods from the gate leading into the Doggetts yard, Colonel Todhunter stopped to spouk to Aunt Mlrandy Ransom, the old Degress whom ho had lost met In tho Nineveh town square and who now stood at tho door of her little cabin. After talking with her some brief time he resumed his way Into town. Ho met tbe Hon. William J. Rtrlck land at the entrance to tho Nineveh Jail. Tho father's face was gray with anxiety. Colonel Todhunter held his hand with a grip of comforting friend liuess. "The boy's in boll's own hole, BUI." ho said. "But you and mo Ml pull him out of it if we've got to bust tho breechin' doiu' itjjuli" (To Uo Uontinuod.) 0. V. Barnhill and wife of Mis notila, Montana, wens in the, city today for n few hours, en route from fllonwooil to Auburn! Neb., for a visit. Mr. Jlarnhill was here Home years ago in charge of ilie Kraft clothing store, and has become tbo owner of a storo in the Montana city. Abcolutcly Puro Economizes Butter, Flour. Eggs; makes the food more appetizing and wholesome The oaly Caking Powder made from Royal Grape Cream ol Tartar Local Hews From Tuesday's Daily. Miss Mary E. l'oster was a pas senger this noon on the flyer for Union to visit with her parents for a few hours. Dan Rice and wife returned this morning from Glenwood, where they had been visiting with rela tives for a few days. Jacob and Cornelius Hengen of near Mynard were in I he city to day for a few hours looking after some business matters. P. S. Barnes, justice of tho peace for Weeping Water, was in tbe city yesterday, being called here on business matters. J. M. Meisinger, from west of 1 Ii e city, was in town today, being called hero to look after some trading with the merchants. Miss Clara Woblfarth returned (hid morning from Loretta, Min nesota, where she had been en joying an outing at tho lakes. George II. Lehnhoff and family of Omaha motored down Sunday and visited with Mrs. F. D. Lehn hoff and daughter, Miss Tillie. William Mendenhall was a pas senger this morning for Pacific- Junction to attend to somo mat ters of .business for a few hours. Mayor Fred Gorder of Weeping Water was a passenger this morning on the early Hurlington train for Omaha, where he spent the day. Mrs. Charles Martin and son, Hilt, returned last evening from Lincoln, where they had been visiting with relatives for a short lime. Henry Brinkinan departed last evening on No. 2 for Peoria, Il linois, where he will visit for a few weeks, and also at Pekin, with relatives. John Bajeck was a passenger this morning on No. 6 for Pacific Junction and Glenwood, where ho will look after his cigar business in those cities. Pflaiims Most Liberal Building Offer Ever Made. We Positively Will Furnish our Customers Free of Charge Plans for the Deautiful House Shown Below Igpsi Our Free Plan Offer Without any obligation on your part we will gladly furnish you the plans for the above house design and assist you in the selection of the materials. We want to encourage home building and offer the best facili ties and proposition ever made. Save Money, Time and Worry Our priro of SS'i.i.OOfor the nbovo Homo Pesiun No. 1 150 in at the mill and wo will vladly quulo a delivered price winch will iiialto you a bitf snvinif. Our Bvntrm of selling nil tliu materials liavrii you time and needless expense. 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