Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-12-21
{copyrish, BY Frank A. Munsey Cos

YlIHk~4S
E3AkHSS affairs did not come about
* the first year Of their
81 welded life, nor even the
W. second. The third Christ.
mas was almost at hand before Mi.
Smith discovered accidentally, but to
his intense joy, thatsMrs. Smith rel
fshed his selection of furs, gloves, cur
tains, rugs, and so on, no more than
did he her choice Of smoking-jackets,
cravats, mufflers, ct cetera.
That their friends could not be
taken in on the combination was,
however, a 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 to
put them on my list. It's book and
we've got to send them something"
well, what are we going TO 40
about the Snivelys?" growled Mr..
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."
"By George, Well do IT," said Mr.
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 cali a messen-:
ger boy"
Half an hour later Mr.. Smith hand
ed a package, addressed to Mr.. Snive'
~, to a messenger boy and saw MIN
depart with it. He was luxuriously
stretched out on a davenport when
Mrs. Smith came into the room a few
minutes later.
Jack" said Mrs. Smith, holding
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 I gave it
to him."
" How long has the boy been gomez"
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
Mr.. Smith. fairly consumed with rage.
He had arrived at the down town
district when, with thrill Of JOY. he
spicd the messenger boy. Without
waiting for the car to stop, Mr..
Smith Jumped off and started on run
for the boy.
At the same moment the messenger
boy saw him, and. without knowing
why he was being pursued ne obeyed
his first impulse and ran too.
In a moment a 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 adj
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" csied Mr.. Smith, who had
arrived upon the scene b. 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
Gazed. He had caught sight Of Mr.
Sniyely with the book under his arm.
Hello. Smith said Mr.. SnWely.
AZ. 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
..ir. Smith. trying to collect his wits.
"Ycu see. l sent the package
We'll, why were You chasing the
boy, asked the policeman, little i'm
patiently.
The pcrspirahon stood out on poor
Mr.. Smiths forehead
IL WAS afraid hadn't given the
hoy the right address, and was trying
10 step him to find out" he blurted
IN desperation.
The policeman looked at Mr.. Smith
curiousiy. He was convinced that he
vas lying though with what object he
I'D not imagine.
The package has CONS IN iha right