The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-12-25
A Yagrant
Christmas
Gift
ALBERT EDWARD CONVERSE


mas present proposition.
tsal This satisfactory state Of
(ez9RN affairs did not come about
8 M the first year Of their
~ welded life. nor even the
second. The third Christ
mas was almost at hand before Mr..
Smith discovered accidentally. but to
his intense joy, that Mrs. Smith rel
fshed his selection Of furs. gloves, cur
tains, rugs. and so on, no more than
did he her choice Of smoking-ja jackets.
cravats. muffiers. ct cetera.
That their friends could not he
taken in on the combination wa.s
however, thorn in the flesh Of each
OF them.
The worst has happened" said
Mrs Smith, interrupting Mr.. Smiths
perusal Of the paper Christmas morn
Ing.
Al messenger just brought pres
emit from the Snivelys. and forgot to
put them on my list. It's a book and
we've got to send them something.
Tef what are we going to do
bout the SniveIys?" groWled Mr..
Smith.
Jack" said she in a moment. I've
had an inspiration Why couldn't we
send the Snivelys the book that Ceus-
in Lucy sent us? Neither Of them
VIII ever know II"
s.By George! Wen do 1t, said Mr..
Smith, after considering the propo-
sition. Where Is Cousin Lucy's
b0ok7s
TITS on the DESK said Mrs. Smith.
Just put our cards In the book and
wrap it up neatly. I'll cali messen-
& ger boy"
Half an hour later Mr.. Smith hand
ed package, addressed to Mr.. Snive-
". to a messenger boy and saw him
depart with il. He was Iuxuriousiy
stretched out on a davenport when
Mrs. Smith came into the room few
minutes later.
Jack" said Mrs. Smith, holding a
book in her hand, II thought you
were going to wrap this book up.
Great Scott!' exclaimed Mr..
Smith. jumping to his feet. Il did
wrap up some book The messenger
has already been here and gave it
to him.
How long has the boy been gomez"
demanded Mrs. Smith.
"About ten minutes"
aGet 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? 2"
Mrs. Smith was almost frantic
Down TO the nearest street car tore
Mr., Smith. fairly consumed with rage.
He had arrived at the down town
district when, with thrill Of Joy, he.
spied the messenger boy. Without
waiting for the car to stop, Mr..
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
I'd q 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 cross street
ran in front OF the boy. One threw
his arms around the fugitive, hold
ing his fast: the other man seized tho
package the boy was carrying.
ssWhy. Snivelyl This package is adj
dressed to you!" he exclaimed.
'sWhy, 30 it!'' said the man who
had caught the boy.
n q moment they were surrounded
by crowd. A policeman rushed UP
and took charge Of the boy.
aHold ON there. oficer. the boys
all right! cried Mr.: Smith. who had
arrived upon the scene by this time.
@What do you know about this af-
fair7" said the policeman respectfully.
as he recognized Mr.. Smith.
Bnt Mr.. Smith was standing as one
dazed. He had caught sight Of Mr..
Gniyely with the book under his arm.
Hello. Smith" said Mr.. GniyeIy.
Il Just now caught this boy, and
found him carrying package adj
dressed to me, so took charge OF it.
Do you know anything about it7"
Why why er-yes,s stammered
Mr.. Smith, trying to collect his wits.
You see. sent the package
.'Well. why were you chasing the
boy?" asked the policeman. q little inn
patiently.
The perspirataon stood out on poor
Mr.. Smiths forehead.
sT-tI was afraid 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 Mr.. Smith
curionsly. He was convinced that he
was lying. though with what object he