Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1915-01-07

&L@ welded life, nor even the
w. second. The third Christ
mas was almost at hand before Mr.
Smith discovered accidentally. but to
his intense Joy, that Mrs. Smith rel
ished his selection of furs, gloves. cur
tains, rugs, and so N. no more than
did he her choice of smoking Jackets,
c~ravats, -lufllers, 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, i~nterrupting Mr.. Smiths
perusal Of the paper Christmas morn
ing.
"a messenger Just brought a pres
put them on my list. It's a book and
we've got to send them something"
Well, what are we going to do
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! Wen do It," said Mr..
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 a messen-.
gel boy" .
Half an hour later Mr.. Smith hand
ed a package, addressed to Mr.. Snive-
ly, to q messenger boy and saw him
depart with it. He vas luxuriously
stretched out on a davenport when
Mrs. Smith came into the room a 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 1t
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 a 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.
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 n 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 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 tue boy.
In a 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 n
dazed. He had caught sight Of Mr..
Snively with the book under his arm.
Hello, Smith," said Mr.. Sniyely.
II just nov caught this boy, and
found him carrying a package ad-
dressed to me, 80 took charge Of It.
Do you know anything about III"
"Why-why-er-yes," stammered
Mr.. Smith, trying to collect his wits.
you see, I sen the package"
well, why were you chasing the
boy7" asked the policeman, a little i'm
patiently.
The Precipitation stood out on poor
Mr.. Smiths forehead.
Il was afraid I 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 Il along with me-"
"Oh, / couldn't think, OF allowing
you to do that, old mani" cried MIR.
Smith. Just give It back to the boy;