Evening star., 1939-03-12

Watkins"
The big red-faced woman held out hand
which for color and size matched her huge,
cheerful face. ANY pal of Willies is pal of
mine, she rumbled good-naturedly.
Lets go in and eat, said Young Bill.
1t was characteristic of the unique relation
ship which existed between Mrs. Abbie
Tupper and her younger son that they should
be Abbe and Willie to each other. To her
married daughters, that indefatigable pro-
moter of mahogany forest in Honduras, the
Peebey Electric Toothbrush, the Schatz Hair
Restorer and many other inventions of an
equally catholic and startling nature, repre-
sented a social problem of the first order.
Loving ones mother was one thing, as Mrs.
Gloria Hartley. nee Tupper, often pointed
out tearfully to her husband, but to have her
take charge of dinner party of the best peo-
pie in an attempt to sell them stock in one of
her absurd promotions was something else.
Something terribly else.
But Young Bill refused to be disturbed by
his mothers flights into the realms of business
blue sky. He applauded her escapades -
boasted about them The luncheon to which
he had invited his mother on this bright
October day was the direct result of his high
enthusiasm for Abbie Tupper mental agility
and prodieious energy.
Mrs Tupper spoke first after the meal
had been ordered. You don't look like a
Wilberforce," she announced frankly. with
that shock of black hair and that dark skin.
What was it they used to have in Italy before
the Duce got ahold of it? Malta? Black Hand?
That s it," She chuckled and the black velvet
ribbon around her ample neck moved up and
down convulsively.
The young man grinned.
He was heavyweight champion of the
school," Bill contributed. "A tough cookie
Mrs. Tupper nodded. willie tells me
you've got pretty big bull by the tail
"A bull by the tail and beautiful girl by
the hand, Abbie," her son amplfied. He
smiled affectionately across the white table.
Punk wants to get his heat control dingus
on the market so he can get enough money to
marry the one and only
Mrs. Tupper smiled. Sounds as busy as
cat on a tin roof to me, Punk
The smile Mr.. Watkins returned was tinged
with gloom more like riding on merrygo-
round, he informed her somberly. I'm busy
getting nowhere.
so brought him to you, Abbie. Chance to
make a commission for yourself and be
Cupid s left-hand bower at one and the same
time.
You shut up, Willie, and let Punk do the
talking Punk, l take it, is your friends way
of b,1,c.;po
Young Mr. Watkins nodded. Its like this,
Mrs. Tupper: have developed new heat
control for oil. gas and coal heating. 1t is
revolutionary
Its the nuts" said Bill. 1T looks like
bomb
Its the works." the inventor assured her
with simple pride A good-looking young man,
Mrs. Tupper decided. even if his widows
peak did seem almost to touch his nose. And.
of course, the logical market for it is the Mel
ton Heating Corporation right here in town.
It's one of the largest companies of its kind in
the country and it makes equipment using all
types of fuel
"Oliver H. p. Meton's company
Right in one. Abbie," said Young Bill.
And he s the tycoon in Punks ointment"
I've been trying to see him for weeks"
Young Mr. Watkins tone reverted to its
former gloom. Il can't get to first base. He
nicked ,p fork and stared at it moOdly.