The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-06-15


ly colOred umbrella above each. A
trench was dug and water piped to
fountain skillfully fashioned of cement
and rocks in the center of the plot by
Zeke's own hands.
The shade trees were trimmed up.
shrubbery thinned to a respectable
density. flowers and hedges planted
where their effect would be most
beneficial.
The finished product was something
to admire.
And during its construction the beer
and light wine bill had been rushed
through congress and was passed.
The day that it was signed | rushed
down to Zeke's store in high state of
excitement; a state which was short
lived.
For Zeke greeted me at the door and
the expression on his face betrayed
guinness and disappointment within.
"It's the license" he told me when I
questioned him. ''We got to have a
license to sell beer and the DANCED
thing costs 200 bucks!"
stared at him blankIy.
1t was true. We had expended our
last penny on equipment, holding out
only enough funds to pay for our first
shipment of beer, already ordered.
1t seemed like a little thing. yet in
that moment knew it meant the diff
ference between being able to open on
time-or ever for that matter.
There wasn't a soul we could go to
for funds.
Zeke's creditors were pressing. My
own resources were exhausted.
1t looked pretty bad.
And then when it seemed we would
have to abandon the entire project,
Zeke came through with an idea.
1t was brilliant idea, quite char
acteristic of the Zeke whose brilliant
ideas had helped one man or another
over rough spots in the days when
things were booming in Dexter and a
man didn't have to sneak in some
body's back door to get his drink of
beer.
At first / was skeptical, but the more
Zeke talked of his idea the more con-
vinced | was that it would work.
Had the situation been less serious
| would have laughed nightly at this
plan of his and wagered with anyone
who wanted to wager that it would
not work.
Anyway we put the idea into execu-
ton.
On the day that beer was legalized
we hung out the sign which Zeke had
painted and flung wide the door.
At first folks came out of sheer curl
osity. Grinning, they poked their
noses inside and looked around
1t was sight of that coy little gar
den in back that brought them all the
way in.
1t was uncanny.
We actually had to hire outside help
to take care of all the customers.
Zeke's old cash register kept ringing
all day and far into the night. 1t was
incredible that beer and cheese and
pretzels could hold such an appeal to
so many people at once.
The next day the rush was greater.
and the day following, Sunday, we
were forced to hire three extra
walters.
We were off to a running start, and
it looked as If we were going to keep
running.
Things were moving smoothly week
later when quite Unexpectedly gov
eminent agent came in and asked to
see our license.
Zeke winked broadly In my direc-
ton and produced the requested docu-
ment.
The agent ran hawk-like eyes over
the written words and looked at Zeke
sharply.
"This license was issued two days
ago. You've been selling beer more
than a week."
Sure" said Zeke, while l held my
breath. "that's right. We waited till
we'd taken in enough money to buy US
a license, and we bought one"
admit it, Ell? Well, get your coat,
mister you're coming with me-"
wait minute" says Zeke. "That
there license is for 80. Up till two
days ago | amt sold mug of 81"
The agent stared
you're nuts. You got a sign out
there says beer and folks have been
coming here for a week."
Sure" Zeke agreed, they been
coming here. But they amt been
drinking 80. They been drinking near
beer. L advertised beer for sale, but
| didn't stipulate what kind of beer.
And these dumb Dummies who have
been yapping for beer and light wines
didn't know the difference"
1t was true.
These customers who constituted our
first rush had been drinking near beer
and never knew it. And the agent was
good enough sport to keep his mouth
shut.
Zeke serves real beer now. or rather
the man to whom he leased his garden
does.
Zeke himself spends his days on the
veranda of the Suncook hotel. EARNING
with Elmer Stone and Sam Cook
about the days when beer was beer,
and he never had worry In the
world.
, Friends Among