The Coolidge examiner., 1934-06-15
ZEKE'S BEER
GARDEN
g
By X. W. WILKINSON
z BEL Syndicate --wSU Service.
n HAVE known Zeke Taylor for
a score OF years.

Dexters oldest Inhabitants
lie should. at his age. be retired
from active business. should be
spending declining years as most
old men og Dexter spend them
spinning yarns with Elmer Stone
and sam Cook on the veranda OF
the Suucook hotel. or seated com
fortably before the open ere OF his
own home with glowing pipe and
pleasant dreams.
That's how II should be. for II
Is these simple things from which
Dexter folk derive their greatest
pleasure
But Zeke cannot retire and live
on his savings. for no savings have
been set aside for this purpose.
Some say be lacked In thrift and
foresight during the days when his
little grocery store. with It's lunch
counter stretched across one side OF
Il. knew a lively business.
Some say he was shlftless and
lazy.
But those OF Us who have been
closely associated With Zeke know
that none Of these accusations are
founded on truth or fact
Zeke might not have been atten-
tive to business. but he was never
shlftless or lazy.
His lie has been one nlled with
little deeds OF kindness
And from them be derived his
keenest enjoyment.
Zeke Taylor has been friend 10
every man who crossed his path.
Quite forgetful OF his own IN.
ture. he has helped this one In dis
tress. counseled that one In mat.
ters OF grave Importance. lent moral
and financial support to countless
charitable movements and unselnsh.
ly denied himself when some strick.
en- brother was sorely In need OF
aid.
The little things OF life have
meant much to Zeke. aud others
have benefited by this PECULIARLY
of his makeup.
But now that Zeke Is aged. these
things are forgotten.
Folks are wondering what will be
come OF the old man. fearful that
sooner or later be viii be "on the
town"
And because Of their forgetful-
ness they are hard and condemn.
Ing.
Not long ago dropped into Zeke's
store for chat. and found him
sunk into the depths OF gloom.
lie was. he told the. contemplate
Ink bankruptcy.
Ills creditors were pressing.
Business was going across the
street 20 the new modern lunch
room. recently opened
The old man was sorely hurt. In
wHrdly WINGED at thoughts OF fall
ore and being on the town.
His pride was hurt. though his
words held no note OF bitterness or
complaint
II was about this time that the
taxpayers OF the United states
were. In a manner OF speaking
quite steamed up over the beer and
Ilght-wine Issue. II seemed almost
inevitable that three point two
would be legaliEed.
mentioned II to Zeke. and he
Frightened considerably.
One thing led 10 another and II
wasn'g long before Zeke's ordinarily
lively Imagination took on a new
lease OF life and began TO function.
| followed him through the rear
door OF the place and into the space
beyond.
There was a green lawn here and
a shade tree or two.
Almost instantly sensed what
was In the old mans mind. A beer
garden. A real old fashioned beer
garden
The spot was Ideal; the location
perfect; the old and musty sur
roundings especially induclve.
Moreover, there wasn't another
store or lunch room In town so nat
urally and adequately equipped for
the purpose.
We discussed the Idea AT length.
And the more we talked the bright
er became the look In Zeke's eyes.
His enthusiasm and eagerness, re-
sembIlng that OF child. brought
lump In my throat
fell In with Zeke's plans quite
whole-heartedly. And when a frown
suddenly appeared on his face at
some abrupt thought, | actually be-
came alarmed.
The establishment OF beer ga
den would. he remembered. entail
the expenditure OF sum OF money.
And Zeke at that moment was abb
solutely penniiess.
OF course | agreed to provide the
necessary funds, an act which, be
lleve. has given me more pleasure
than any equal expenditure prior TO
or after that day.