The river press., 1914-12-16
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Coy

ing.
"A messenger just brought a pres.
ent from the Snivelys, and forgot tc
put them on my list. It's book anG
we've got to send them something"
"Well, what are we going to dc
about the Snivelys?" growled Mr.
Smith.
Jack" said she in a 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 Lucys
book?"
Its on the desk" said Mrs. Smith
Just put our cards in the book and
wrap 1t up neatly. I'll call a messen.
ger boy"
Half an hour later Mr.. Smith hand.
ed package, addressed to Mr.. Snive.
ly, to a 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. II did
wrap up some book The messenger
las already been here and 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.
Ia 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 a 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 a moment a dozen had joined
u 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 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 We're surrounded
by a crowd A policeman rushed up
and took charge of the boy.
F'Hcld on there ofIicer, the boys
all right" cried Mr. Smith. who had
arrived upon the scene by this time
What do you know about this af,
fair?" laid the policeman respectfully,
as he recognized Mr.. Smith.
But NJ. Smith was standing as one
dazcd. 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 a package ad.
dressed to me, so took charge of it
Do you know anything about it?"
-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 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 blurtec
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 IL
take 1t along with me-"
'Oh, l couldn't think of allowing
you to do that, old man" cried Mr.
Smith. Gust give 1t back to the boy