The Press., 1910-08-03


 offered to work for very low wages, and as it was harvest time TillsOn em- ployed him.
 Now, Jane no sooner saw young Zeke Freeman doing the hardest work there was to be done on the farm, which her uncle put upon the young man, than she pitied him. Pity being akin to love, she loved him. She was bright enough, however, to keep the situation from her uncle, who never suspected 1t till Freeman one day went to him to ask for Jane's hand.
 'NO; ye can't have Jane," snarled old Tillson ungraciously. She's my brothers daughter an has money of her own, an you ain't nothin' but a see what Jane was thinkin' on to say ye could ask me. Ye can't have her, am that's all there is to 1t"
 Zeke opened his mouth as though to protest or to strengthen his case by further argument, but TillSOn's face was grim and fOrbidding, and he knew the old man too well to weaken his chances by causing useless irritation. He turned away.
 That afternoon they were near the farmyard gate, Zeke digging post holes and old Tillson patching up a wheelbarrOw, when the drummer of an agricultural warehouse appeared. But, instead of going straight to Tillson, he stopped at the gate and began to examine 1t curiously.
 Queer contrivance that,'' he said presently. Good idea, thOugh-grand, good idea How did you happen to think of it?''
 ''It's some of my hired mans dilly- dallyin'," replied Tillson grufly. "He's forever up to something of that sort. Wastes half his time"
 Zeke flushed a little, but did not look up.
 ''No wasted time about that" de clared the drummer emphatically. ''It's a valuable idea. There's money in it."
 Money ?" questioned Tillson eagerly. Then he saw one of the horses squeez- Ing his body through the open door way of the cOrncribs and he rushed of He would have sent Zeke, only be preferred him to continue at the post hole digging.
 ''So it's your idea, is it?'' said the drummer as he crossed to Zeke's side. Going to have it patented, of course"
 Zeke laughed. "'Patented!' he echoed. That foolish thing? Why, it's noth- ing but a lot of stones and two hinges placed so the gate will shut of itself"
 '.But that's just the sort of thing which usually proves valuable, per sisted the drummer. "The simpler tho device, if it's useful, the better. You'll make a mistake if you don't protect the idea.''
 ''Then guess I'll make the mis- take" said Zeke carelessly. Patents cost money, and haven't any. Re sides, If had I wouldn't risk 50 cents on that foolish thing.'
 The drummer regarded him thought fully. Look here," he said suddenly, ''hOw would you like to m4'ie trade? could appropriate the il for my self if I did business that NY, but don't Still, l like to make money wherever l see a chance. My house does good deal in patent articles. and can generally guess pretty close whether there's money in an idea oy not Now, if you say so. will put this through at my own expense and keep half the profit What do you say?" -
 'sYou mean use stones like that and all?" asked Zeke skeptically.
 "No; it's only the idea I want. We would find some substitute for the stones.p
 Zeke's indifference began to vanish. "If you really think it's worth any, thing" he said doubtfully, "IlI be glad to have you fix it up.s But don't want you to lose money Then, q lit tie wonderingly, T thought patents were made of pulleys and springs and and such things and that twas gen. fuses who got lem up who studied years and years to make lem all right"
 The drummer smiled. 'sIt is that way sometimes" he said, ''but not al- ways. have known inventors to have their Ideas come to them in a moment, in q fash of thought But suppose we fix this thing now
 He opened notebook and wrote for some seconds, then tore out the leaf and handed 1t to Zeke.
 ''It's sort of agreement for you to put your name to, he said, .'Read it arst, though. Never sign anything un- En you know what 1t IS. Later win have regular papers made out for both