Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-12-20

deliy fwo men from a cross street ran in flont of the boy. One threw his ovnl3 around the fugitive, hold ing his fast: the other man seized tho package the boy was carrying. why, Gnig3ly! This package ie ad~ sfpsseG b you!'' he exclaimed.
 Why, so it!" said the man who laJ caught the boy.
 h 5 moment they were surrounded bya crowd A policeman rushed up and took charge of the boy.
 s'Hold on there, officer, the boys all right" cried MT. 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 MT. Smith.
 But MT. Smith was standing as one dazed. He had caught sight of MT. Snively with the book under his arm.
 Hello, Smith," said MT. Snively q just now caught this boy, and found him carrying a package ad- dressed to me, so took charge of it. Do you know anything about it?"
 "Why-why-er-yes," stammered MT. Smith, trying to collect his wits. "You see, sent the package"
 Well, why were you chasing the boy?" asked the policeman, little im- patiently.
 The perspirat1on stood out on poor MT. Smiths forehead.
 TT was afraid I hadn't given the boy the right address, and was trying to stop him to find out," he blurted in desperation. --.s-s,z -
 The policeman looked at MT. 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. 'Im going right home, so I'll take it along with me-
 "Oh, I couldn't think of allowing you to do that, old mani" cri9d NJ. Smit7, "TusA. e-ssfe i+ i,eeT. fs. %s ..s'z :. he'll take it to the house for you."
 "Nonsense!" said MT. Snively. '1t's a light package and l don't mind carrying it particle"
 MT. Smith ground his teeth With rage. How was he to get that book away from snively?
 "Snively," said he, my office is only a few doors down the street. Come up and smoke cigar with me. I've got some good ones.'
 A few minutes later MT. Smith usn- cred Mir. Snively into his office.
 "Sit down here, Snively,' said be- offering his guest a chair. "Let me have your package; I'll put 1t over here on my desk"
 He took the book eagerly and put 1t on his desk out of sight. As he smoked and talked, he racked his brain for scheme to get Snively out of the room without his book.
 Good morning, gentlemen. Merry Christmas"
 It was Smiths partner, Perkins, who thus addressed them as he came out of his private office.
 Suddenly a brilliant scheme took shape in his mind. He proceeded inn mediately to put it into execution.
 By the way, Perkins, I have a Christmas present for you" As he spoke, he picked up Snively's package and. holding it so that Snively could not see it, walked over the Perkins and handed it to him.
 4But-but-" Perkins protested.
 "Take it and keep your mouth shut, or I'll choke you!" whispered Smith f1ercely. :.
 "Oh, thank you very much." said the astonished Perkins. Well, must be getting home. Good morning"
 After talking few moments longer. Snively rose to 90.
 Can trouble you for my package. now?" he said.
 "Oh. yes," said Smith. going to his desk and searching afst calmly anu then with apparent annoyance.
 By George! It isn't here," he an' nounced in a surprised tone.
 Suddenly he sat down and began laughing uproariously.