The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-08-03
TheEpening Story
Mother of Eb.
copyright 1916. sy W. Werner


High time was gettin' some
thing FOR my taxes" grumbled Eb
Scroggs. tapping the floor aggres-
sYrly with the half OF beanpole
which he always used as whip,
It's been paying out right along
With nothin comm back"
I've been dinnin' that into your
head for years" reminded his wife
The towns had things its own
way. tskin' in taxes an all. YOU bein
so soft hearted an slow It's all
RICH; an proper for IL 10 board your
mother an aunt now Pity II We
taxpayers amt as much rights ms
paupers without u cent I'm glad
you're wak!n up
They're sure 10 have a good
time there, with other old FOLKS To
talk with Sociable like. said Eb. rs
though trying 10 convince himself
An the town farm has real sub
stan,ial yitt'es 70 eat, they tell me
encouraged his wife. But. say.
want the black horse hitched 10 the
buggy. Eb must drive into town
FOR the ha' openin' told you----
Il know, an it's all ready. an the
horse hitched 20 post a, the barn
H!lly'n drive Il round soon's my wag
SINS our ot the way" He glanced
out 10 where gaunt horse was
standing with head down. in front OF
lumber wagon NO need 70 hitch
or Timey' " he chuckled Hes
reliable for standin' But why don
they hurry up can't loaf around
all dsy."
There they come nov. said his
wife. as shutting footsteps were
heard above Been ga,herin' w
their truck guess"
Two old. bent figures came slow
~ down the narrow. uncarpeted
stairs They were loaded with bun
dies
Hurry up, hurry up, mother.
admonished Eb !mpatiently Il
been waitin' seems ike an hour. But
what In me IS that you're luggin
OF
MY invention. Eb." qnavered
the foremost OF the two figures
pressing something closer. as though
fearing T. might be taken away For
miNin' bread easy. you know | got
e M 20 save my weak wrists from
so much kneedin'. | KEEP studying
on II an studying on II. an az last
the thing popped into my mind
Then pilly an me tinkered on the
idea until we got II into shape Billy
'inksred real cute Course | must
take (, along You member that
plough drummer who stopped over
with rs one night said twas mighty
nrom'sin' an vally5le, ar that he'd
like 10 buy Il or sheer in H."
E.b had heard Tho process OF In
yontlun many times. but now ho
listened with a derisiye grin on his
face. lie could afford TO be toler
ant nov, for this would BE- the las
time. When his mother nnIshed he
broke into a loud guffaw "All right
mother. take Il along an keep on
finEertn'." he conceded. "Mebcc
in make the poorhouse folks look
Mp 20 YOU a. a genius. how, haw'
Anyhow tho Contragshun'- too small
70 he OF any value for kiadlin wood
Tai. y r'7hf along Brt that drum
mer Won poke o; was here more'n
Eve years ago. lie vas Jest = iokIn
we want neither" replied the
old woman, with worried expOstI!a
ton in her voice when you was
out ne came to mo ag'ln an looked Il
over reel careful an said he sure
would take hold on & II he was bet
Ter aved. Said IL I didn't soil q fore
b. got into Partnership with his firm
bod com, an have another talk"
Both Eb and his wife snickered az
this
Drummer ia partnership, an FIVE
years gone by" derided Eb Yes. ]
guess IFS all right. You Jest carry II
along an watch out the winder for
his comm But no moro tomfoolcry
now HE voice suddenly becoming
surly. "I've waited long enough
Hurry M, an YOU. too, Aunt Luce
Don't keep droppin' your rubbish
that way
Aunt Luce had arms over full bui
she bent down painfully and fingered
for the truan' which neither
Eb nor hi. wife offered 10 pick Up
rs she enlightened az far IA her
lame back would allow she caught
sight Of the lumber wagon az the
gate Coin 10 carry us 20 the poor
house IN that" she demanded
Good enough. too. for that job.
say" snapped EDS wife, answering
Tor him. Yes. you're goin' In the
lumber wagon. for want the buggy
20 drive into town
Huh, cackled Aunt Luce scorn
fully. II gucss you're right. Lumber
wagons good 'nough for us now
Sister Meg an me have worked here
Ike slaves ever since you was mar
Rcd 70 Eb, an got cheap vittles IN
'buse for pay Vow we're gettin' 80
old It's cheaper 20 lumber wagRin uF
70 the poorhouse Huh, Funny
Here you hate you. stcpson. Billy. a
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