Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1914-12-11

Smith discovered accidentally, but tc
his intense Joy, that Mrs. Smith rel
ished his selection Of furs, gloves, cur
tains, rugs. and so on, no more thar
did he her choice of smoking Jackets
cravats, mufTlers, 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 Mr.. Smiths
perusal of the paper Christmas morn
ing.
"A messenger just brought pres
ent from the Snivelys, and forgot tc
put them on my list It's book ant
we've got to send them something"
We'll, what are we going to dc
about the Snivelys?' growled Mr.
Smith.
Jack" said she in moment, Tive
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,"
ny George Wen do it." said MT
Smith. after considering the propo'
sition Where is Cousin Lucy's
book?'
It's on the desk" said Mrs. Smith.
Just put our cards In the book and
wrap It up neatly. I'll call messen.
ger boy"
Half an hour later Mr.. Smith hand.
ed a package, addressed to Mr.. Sniye-
ly, to messenger boy and saw him
depart with It, He was luxuriously
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. Il thought you
were going to wrap this book up"
Great Scott" exclaimed Mr..
Smith, jumping to his feet 81 did
wrap up some book The messenger
has already been here and | gave It
to him
How long has the boy been gone"
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 30 careless?"
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 off and started on q run
for the boy
Al 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 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 the 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 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 Mr.. 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 Mr.. Smith.
But Mr.. Smith was standing as one
dazed He had caught sight Of Mr.
Snively with the book under his arm.
Hello, Smith, said Mr. Snively.
81 just now caught this boy, and
found him carrying package ad.
dressed to me, so took charge Of It.
Do you know anything about it,"
"Why-why-er--yes," stammered
Mr.. Smith, trying to collect his wits.
you see, sent the package"
We'll, why were you chasing the
boy?" asked the policeman. little I'M
patiently.
The perspirahon stood out on poor
Mr. Smiths forehead.
IL 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
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 It along with me-"
"Oh. couldn't think of allowing
you to do that, old mani" cried Mr.
Smith, Just give II back to the boy;
aell take 1t to the house for you"
NONSENSE! said Mr., SniS ely. "It's
Il light package and l don't mind
carrying 1t particle"
Mr.. Smiti, 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 a cigar with me. I've
got some good ones"
A few minutes later Mr.. Smith ush'
cred Mr.. Snively into his office.
"Sit down here, Snively." said he.