The Spectator., 1914-12-25

(&toS0NN aualTS ulu not COiuS dpo"' W E the first year of their x&3 welded life, nor even the
 N.Y., second The third Christ mas was almost at hand before MT. Smith discovered accidentally, but to his intense joy, that Mrs. Smith rel ished his selection of furs, gloves. cur 'tains. rugs, and so on, no more than did he her choice of smoking-jackets, cravats. mufiiers, ct cetera.
 That their friends could not be taken in on the combination was, however, . thorn in the flesh of each of them.
 The worst has happened" said Mrs. Smith, interrupting MT. Smiths perusal of the paper Christmas morn ing.
 "A messenger just brought pres ent from the Snivelys. and l forgot to put them on my list. It's book and we've got to send them something
 Well. what are we going to do about the Snivelys?" growled MT. Smith.
 Jack" said she in moment, I've had an inspiration. Why couldn't we send the Snivelys the book that Cous- in Lucy sent us? Neither of them will ever know it.R
 By George. We'll do it." said MT. Smith. after considering the propo- sition. Where is Cousin Lucy's book?"
 Its on the desk" said Mrs. Smith. Just put our cards in the book and wrap it up neatly. I'll call a messen- ger boy"
 HaN an hour later MT Smith hand ed a package, addressed to Mir. Snive- ly. to a messenger boy and saw him depart with it. He was luxuriously stretched out on davenport when Mrs. Smith came into the room few minutes later.
 Jack said Mrs. Smith, holding book in her hand, II thought you were going to wrap this book up Smith, jumping to his feet. q did wrap up some book. The messenger has already been here and I gave 1t to him"
 How long has the boy been goneH" demanded Mrs. Smith.
 About ten minutes"
 Get your things on. Be quick. and maybe you can reach the Snivelys' before the boy and get that dreadful book away from him. How could you have been so careless?"
 Mrs. Smith was almost frantic.
 Down to the nearest street car tore Mir Smith, fairly consumed with rage.
 He had arrived at the down town district when. with a thrill o1 joy. he spied the messenger boy. Without waiting for the car to stop. MT. Smith jumped of and started on run for the boy.
 At the same moment the messenger boy saw him. and. without knowing why he was being pursued. he obeyed his first impulse and ran too.
 In moment dozen had joined in the chase. Down the street came the poor messenger boy, frantically straining every muscle to get away from the mob pursuing him. Sud denly two men from a cross street ran in front of the boy. One threw his arms around the fugitive. hold ing his fast the other man seized the package he boy was carrying.
 Why. Snively! This package is ad- dressed to you," he exclaimed.
 Why, so it." said the man who had caught the boy.
 In a moment they were surrounded by a crowd. A policeman rushed up and took charge of the boy.
 Hold on there. officer, the boys all right" cried Mir Smith. who had arrived upon the scene by this time.
 What do you know about this af- fair" said the policeman respectfully. .as he recognized Mir. Smith.
 But MT. Smith was standing as one dazed. sHe had caught sight of MT. Snively with the book under his arm.
 Hello. Smith," said Mir Snively. q just now caught this boy. and found him carrying a package ad- dressed to me. 90 took charge of 1t. Do you know anything about its"
 y-why-er-yes." stammered Mr. Smith. trying to collect his wits, You see. sent the package"
 Well. why were you chasing the boy?" asked the policeman. a little i'm patiently.
 The perspiratlon stood out on poor Mir Cmith'a f0rohpad
 "I-I was afraid l hadn't given the boy the right address. and was trying to stop him to find out" he blurted in desperation.
 The policeman looked at Mir Smith curiously He was convinced that he was lying, though with what object he could not imagine.
 The package has come to the right fellow anyway" said Snively, laugh ing I'm going right home. so I'll take 1t along with me"
 "Oh. couldn't think of allowing