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 Ed
scroggs. tapping the floor sggres-
sively with the half OF a beanpole
which he always used as a 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. takin' in taxes an all. you bein'
so soft-hearted an slow It's all
right an proper for II 10 board your
mother an aunt now. Pity IL We
taxpayers amt as much rights as
paupers without cent I'm glad
you're wakin' up"
They're sure 20 have good
time there, with other old folks 10
talk with. socisble like" said Ed, as
though trying 20 convince himself
An the town farm has real sub
stantial vittles 10 eat, they tell me. -
encouraged his wife Put. say.
want the black horse hitched 10 the
buggy, Eh | must drive into town
for the hat openin' told you---
Il know. an it's ali ready. an the
horse hitcheG 10 post at the barn.
Billyll drive II round soon's my vag-
gins out OF the way He glanced
out 10 where gaunt horse vas
standing with head down. in front OF
a lumber wagon NO need 10 hitch
or Timey.'" be chuckled. Hes
reliable for standin' But why don
they hurry up, can't loaf around
all day"
There they come now" said his
wife. as shutting footsteps were
heard above Been gatherin' up
their truck, I guess"
Two old. bent figures came slow
ly down the narrow. unexpected
stairs. They were loaded with bun.
dies.
Hurry up, hurry up. mother,
admonished Ed impatienly. Il
been waitin' seems like an hour. But
what in time is that you're luggin
or-
My invention. Ed" quavered
the foremost OF the two figures
pressing something closer. as though
fearing il might be taken away For
mixin' bread easy. you know ! go
IL up 10 save my weak wrists from
so much kneedin'. | KEEP studying
on it an studying on il. an at last
the thing popped into my mind
Then Billy an me tinkered on the
idea until We got 1t into shape. Billy
tinkered real cute. Course | must
take Il along. You member that
plough drummer who stopped over
with US one night said twas mighty
promisin' an vallyble, an that he'd
like 10 buy il or sheer in 1T
Ed had heard the process OF in
vention many times. but now he
listened with a derisive grin on MS
face. lie could afford TO be toler'
ant now. for this would be the last
time. When his mother finished be
broke into a loud guffav. "All right.
mother. take il along an keep on
tinkerin'." he conceded "Mebee
it'll make the poorhouse folks LOOK
up TO you as a genius. how. haw
ANYHOW the contrapshun's TOO small
10 be OF any value for kindlin' wood.
Take IL right along But that drum
mer you spoke OF was here more'n
five years ago. He was jest jokin T..
We want neither" replied the
old woman. with worried exposrula'
ton in her voice. when you was
out he came 10 me ag'ln an looked IL
over real careful, an said he sure
would take hold on II II he was bet.
ter fixed. Said IL didn't sell II Tore
he 20, into partnership with his firm
he'd come an have another talk
Beth Eb and bis wife snickered al
this.
Drummer in partnership. an FIVE
years gone by" derided Ed Yes. /
guess It's all right You Jest carry il
along an watch out the winder for
his comm But no more tomtoolery
now" his voice suddenly becomins