Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1921-07-21
Alvin Invents a
Heart Opener
BY WILLIAM FALL

up The engagement of Miss Niola Bar.
Ton ana Alvin Draper. Ii had sundered
them. brought out sharp definite nm.
houncement from the estimable lady.
ana a declaration from Alvin that il
would make no difference would
always cherish his lost love and
hope.
She was always fine as silk" in.
sisted Alvin year afterwards May
be time will make difrerence-time
and my damage suit"
The damage suit was history In
the town. 1t all came out of the rat
trap
When Alvin invented his great rat
trap his fiancee did not say much. for
1t looked as though he had really
struck 1t at last.
Al the zenith of his inventive CLIO
~, however, there came a dampener.
lie was sued for infringement ON a
previous patent. Two years passed
by, and the case was still pending.
II had cost him several thousand dol
lars in legal fees and after he had
stubbornly resisted the pleadings of
Viola to forget the whole thing and
invest what was left in some practical
business, she broke the engagement.
TIN bound to win" insisted Alvin.
Why, the Speciality Manufacturing
company has standing offer of ten
thousand dollars for my patent the
minute the courts give me clear
title"
Alvin and Viola went TO the same
church. 1t had run down because lis
pastors had been slow-going easily
contented men, and the congregation
had been spoiled thereby. Finally a
new minister was assigned. 1t turned
out to be Edward Barton, favorite
brother of Viola.
THE church needs all kinds of re-
pairs" he confidentially impaired to
Alvin one day.
Alvin reflected over all this. He
met his former fiancee on the street.
She idolized her brother, and when
ALVIN referred to him she forgot the
gulf between them.
81 think | see a way" said Alvin
"Oh, If you only could" began Viola,
and then she flushed crimson, remem-
bering the past.
Immediately Alvin forgot the pend
ing suit
The young minister was called away
from town temporarily. One evening
there was a church sociable, Alvin
was always the life and leader of
such functions Viola was also there
Alvin raped on a table for order and
attention.
Friends" he said, placing box he
fore him, 81 have something to say
before we go up to our homes. This
is the best church IN the world--fixet
up Our splendid young pastor is thu
best preacher in the world-paid up
We've all got into mean and stingy
rut Let's get out of it."
The church deacons looked asSance
the lay members curious and excited
"You know I'm sort of dabbler in
inventions" proceeded Alvin, placing
his hand on the box This is my
latest one. It's called the cash an
nunclator' and I've got it especial
ly for this church"
Alvin took off the cover of the box,
amid grim, expectant silence. Then
he placed beside 1t some coins.
This is NY patent collection box, "
he proceeded, "and | want the church
TO adopt It. My contribution VIII be
the coins you see here Now observe !:
| wish TO donate a dollar"
He slipped a silver dollar through
the slot in the box. A mellow tinke
seemed to gently thank the donor.
"Twenty-hve cents"
hoarse cracked bell note rang out.
zone cent" spoke Alvin finally.
An unearthly racket came from the
box
The audience snickered-some of
them roared with laughter. Miserly
John Duke, the richest man In town,
looked sheepish. Robert Jones, sec
ond in social importance, scowled Sc
verely. Then the corner of his lips
began to witch.
"Mr. Draper" he spoke out, you
can put a fiye-dollar attachment for
me regularly on that invention Of
yours"
"pn make It ten" announced Mr..
Duke, after pause.
Eyes, no more pennies" spoke up
Deacon Smith. you've given us a
good lesson. Mr.. Draper I'm for APP
preeiating the old church and the
young minister as they deserve to be-"
The following Sunday showed prac-
tIcai results. the next better stlll. That
week Alvin received a letter which
he greeted with a hurrah-his suit
was won.
He met lola, her face beamlng,
that afternoon.
81 must congratulate you on your
good fortune" she said brightly. "And
OH what magic wonders you have ac-
conplished with the church The trus-
tees have raised five thousand dol
lars. and my brother viii be taken care
OF as he should. / am afraid mean
must confess that you have invented
a new way to reach my heart
81 EliHy