The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1910-01-13

say?"
"You mean use stones like that and
alI?' asked Zeke skeptically
''No; it's only the idea | want. We
would find some substitute for the
stones"
Zeke's Indifference began to vanish.
IF you really think it's worth any
thing" he said doubtfully, III berglad
to have you fix it up. But don't
want YOU to lose money" Then. a lit
tie wonderingly, Il thought patents
| were made of pulleys and springs and
and such things and that twas gen
fuses who got 'em up who studied
years and years to make 'em all right.
The drummer smiled. 1T is that
way sometimes" he said, but not al
WAYS. | have known inventors TO
have their ideas come to them in a
moment, in a fash Of thought. But
suppose we fix this thing now.
He opened a notebook and wrote for
some seconds. then tore out the leaf
and handed it to Zeke.
Its a sort of agreement for you to
put YOUR name to-" he said. Read it
first though. Never sign anything un-
til YOU know what it is. Later | will
have regular papers made out for both
| of us"
Zeke read the paper and signed his
name with the pen which the drum
| mer held ready Then he resumed his
| digging. A few moments later Tillson
| came hurrying back.
1.-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?''
J "By getting the invention patented
! answered the drummer carelessly, but
| Zeke and | have fixed that up. Well,
must be going"
| "But. look herev' exclaimed T1llSon
aye must talk with me bout that gate
It's mine. Zeke amt nothin' to do
with it."
"Oh, 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.
"Stopr' 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 a half smile. Hes
to pay for getting out a patent" he
replied. land have half what we make. p"
AN We didn't get any money"
'Not 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 idiotv' he snarled. 1.-The
man was set on the idee; | could see
that from the way he spoke. Ye
lars jest as easy as nothin. Mebbe
we could have made a trade for a lot
of his TOOLS An now-huh!-ye'l
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
Zeke in the least. He scarcely ex-
| 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 Tillson met him
at the barn door, his face dark.
"What dye leave work for without
nv say soY he demanded.
Business" replied Zeke. II 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 ia my name, to save you
trouble. You can pay me whenever II
suits. You see," in answer to the look
on Tillson's face, 81 got check for
two thousand on the patent and am
likely to get as much more every year.
l 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 a
study. One would expect to see some
shamefacedness there, but there was
none. There was not even gratitude
For the moment there was surprise
mingled with 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"
"Waal, l 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