Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-05

Zeke read the paper and signed his
name with" the pen which the drum
mer held ready. Then he resumed his
digging. few moments later Tilison
came hurrying back.
"The drafted horse ate a full peck
of good corn he began wrathfully.
"No supper II be get this night. Now.
what is it bout that gate bizness?
How's there money in it?'
"By getting the invention patented"
answered the drummer carelessly, "but
Zeke and have fixed that up. Well.
/ must be going"
"Rut, look 'here!' exclaimed Tillson.
aye must talk with me bout that gate.
It's mine, Zeke amt nothin' to do
with it,"
ooh, / don't want the gate" said the
drummer coolly. ITS only the idea,
and that, believe, belongs to Zeke.
Goodby."
TiIlson stared at him as he walked
away. the wrath deepening on his face.
Suddenly he swung round to Zeke
what did We get?" he demanded.
Come, hand it over"
81 didn't receive anything in money"
Zeke answered.
"Stop!' roughly. Don't tell any
yarns. Didn't hear the man say you
an him fixed it up? Now, how much
money did he give We for my gate?
Look at me straight"
Zeke did so, with half smile. Hes
to pay for getting out a patent" he
replied, land have half what we make"
"An' We didn't get any money!?
mot a cent"
Tillson looked at him sharply. but
there was no deceit in the straightfor-
ward face. Even he realized the fact
"Then ye're an idiotr' he snarled. ''The
man was set on the idee; could see
that from the way he spoke. Ye
could have got fifty or a hundred dol
lars jest as easy as nothin'. Mebbe
we could have made,a trade for lot
of his tools. An now-huh!-yeH
never hear from him ag'in."
Zeke did not answer, and presently
Tillson went toward the barn grum-
bling. But his words did not disturb
Zelie in the least He scarcely ex-
pected to hear from the man again.
In spite of what had been said, he
could not bring himself to believe that
the simple contrivance was Of any
value. Even when the regular pa
pers" came, with imposing seals and
blank places for him TO sign his name.
he regarded them more as interesting
novelties than as anything that would
affect his future.
But one day a letter came which
caused his eyes to open wide with
amazed delight and which after half
hour of hard thinking carried him into
the house after his Sunday clothes. 1t
was nearly dark when he returned
from the town. Old TilIson met him
at the barn door, his face dark.
"What dye leave work for without
my say 500" he demanded.
Business" replied Zeke. 81 heard
you say t'other day the mortgage had
run by and that If you didn't raise the
money soon they'd be selling you out.
So I've been to a lawyer and had 1t
fixed over in my name, TO save you
trouble. You can pay me whenever it
suits. You see." in answer to the look
on Tillson's face. Il got a check for
two thousand on the patent and am
likely to get as much more every year
/ think I'll buy Dickson's big farm
that joins ours"
Tillson stood looking at the young
man with mouth and eyes wide open.
The expression on his face was
study. One would expect to see some
shamefacedness there, but there was
none There was not even gratitude.
For the moment there was surprise
with a feeling OF suspicion
that Zeke had assumed his debt that
he might make something by it. One
who always acts from mean motives
SUSPECTS every one else Of doing the
same thing. His first words indicated
that such was the condition OF his
mind.
What interest you goin' to charge
me?"
Never mind about the interest. You
can pay whatever rate you please or /
nothing at ALL"
WAL. suppose you've got TO be !
paid suthin'. What is it you want?'
Jane"
"Oh, that's the pay you're after"
The moment the old curmudgeon's 4
interest came to the front he was less .
about that Of his niece.
you and she can settle that. / sup /
pose. AS long as she's satisfied ] sup /
pose I'll have to be"
Jane was perfectly satisfied. and be- 4
fore long there was wedding.
But Zeke didn't buy Dickson's farm.
He drifted into the employ of firm .
engaged in the development OF me-
,hanical contrivances and is now a
very rich man.
Don't Get Divorce.