Omaha daily bee., 1895-02-21
WILLARD Il. STEWART.
(Notarial Seal) Notary Public.
EHRENPFoRT's EARLY CAREER.

VINO is this man Ehrenpfort?
Time was when he stood well among his
fellows and gained a reputation as a sober,
industrious and skilled mechanic From the
day that he became possessed of burning
ambition for political office, however. his
erstwhile good reputation has suffered so
many blemishes that Ehrenpfort seems now
to be lost to all sense of honor and decency.
In an evil hour he aspired to the office of
assessor of the First ward His good name
at that time brought to his supp3rt a major
ity of the voters of the ward and he was
elected. Success in this his first venture
into the political arena seemed to have
peculiar If not extraordinary effect upon his
mind. His head swelled to abnormal propor-
tions. Had not the sovereign people picked
him cut in preference to 1000 other citizens
and exalted him in public office! What little
logic had been vouchsafed him by nature
enabled him to make but one deduction from
the fact of his election: That he undoubtedly
was the best man in the ward. Taking this
precious JUNCTION to his soul he entered upon
the performance of the functions CT his high
office. At that early day, however, it is
doubtful whether Ehrenpfort knew the great
possibilities of his office. But in a very short
time he became the subject of dis
tingushed consideration at the hands
of rich men and powerful corporations. When
he found that for the msre asking he could
have his house wired for incandescent lights
and that his residence could be Illuminated
by electricity without money and without
price, his first ideas of personal greatness
were only confirmed. And when it was made
plan that his public duties required him to
cover a great deal of territory and that a
street car pass awaited his requisition, his
self-esteem took on another bull movement.
And when, after his official duties were con-
cluded for the year, his frame had become
wasted and his nervous system showed every
evidence Of the severe strain upon it, the
railroad tax agents readily convinced him
| that trip to the mountains would build him
up and rejuvenate his energies. He might
take his family just as we'll as not The
| trains would run any way, SO one or two more
| passengers wouldn't cut much of figure.
| The courteous tender was accepted, Of course.
| Henry Ehrenpfort, even at that early day in
| his political career, had presence Of mind
enough to nail every snap that came his way.
But 1t takes money to travel. There are
| necessary expenses, you know. Henry went
| to banker and asked for a loan. He got 1t,
| but that had nothing whatever to do with
| the fact that the banker owned property in
| the First ward
WHEN HE ORDERED THE BEER.
Thus Henry Ehrenpfort. assessor of the
| First ward, got an inking of the lmitless
possibilities of his high office. For years he
| clung to 1t like a sheep tick does to a fur
| lined coat. He learned to work property
owners to the queens taste He reduced
the levying of petty tribute to a fine art.
/
| large breweries and warehouses of eastern
breweries located in the First ward. This
| property was assessable. 1t might be re-
turned for one-half or one-tenth its value
One day Henry tripped into the warehouse
| of Milwaukee brewer and said:
II am the assessor of the First ward
Send me a case of beer"
The order was filled, but before the time
| came for presenting a bill Ehrenpfort ap-
peared with his official blanks for returns OF
personal property. His treatment of the
| brewer was so courteous and consderate that
| the latter sent another case of beer to follow
| the first. Time wore on till the 4th Of July
| Henry bethought himself to fttingly cele-
brate natal day. He invited a score Of nti-
| mate friends and ordered two cases of beer
Of the brewer Two long months elapsed
| Ehrenpfort found 1t incumbent upon him tc
| christen his youngest offspring, so he is
sued pressing invitations to his friends and
| ordered more beer Of the brewer. Soon the
| whirligig Of time brought the gladstone
| Christmas-tide and Henry was ready for It
| He again beckoned the guests and ordered
more beer. Now the brewer in this romance
| was generous hearted man. He is famous
| for his gen!ality and matchess lager. But
like other good men, he did not like to be
| imposed upon. He began to think that
| Henry must be running a saloon else his
| acquisitions would not be so frequent He
thought the matter over and concluded tc
cut OFF the supply even If the penalty fol
such rashness proved to be an increased taA
| assessment
Soon Henry must needs celebrate his birth
day. He had reached the meridian of life
that proud emnence from whence he sur
yeyed the whole First ward as his posses
sions. A proper observance of the day called
for more beer. He ordered it. 1t did moi
| come. Henry was vexed. He talked re
prlsal, but 1t availed him not.
The brewer cut off the supply.
HIS assessment was raised.
But there was, happily, another brewer
Henry soon opened negotiations with him
and as long as the supply lasted the tal
assessment was Just and reasonable.
All this time Ehrenpforts popularity wal
on the wane, and so 1t came to pass that h
was kicked out of office, and the voters o
the First ward will see to 1t that he Ia KEEP
| out of office