The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-03-28
The Pig IN POKE
BY KEITH KENYON.

Betty gave a final pat to her fresh
ly coiffed hair, adjusted an invisible
hairpin and surveyed herself critical
Iy. Tell him I'll be down right away,
Mamie"
81 wish father wouldn't send for
people to come when he'o away,
Betty complained. And particularly
when I want to go skating. The new
heating system is a nuisance anyway"
How do you do" she asked politely
Of the young mar who got up and
bowed as she came into the living
room. Il know you came to see
father, but he's taken the a and
gone to hunt a delegate for the con-
vention. But if you like III show you
over the house and let you look at the
what-you-may-call-it in the cellar-the
furnace, l suppose"
Il think, if you don't mind, I'll wait
until Mr.. Bradshaw returns" He
smiled his amusement. Does he gen
orally go around hunting delegates as
he would a prize pig for Christmas
dinner?"
Betty laughed. Not exactly, al
though, after all, delegates are pigs
in pokes. You never can tell what
you are getting"
Nice lovely place for a delegate to
come" commented the heater man.
I'D rather like to be one myself"
SAY wish mother wasn't away.
She's in Florida. It's such a dandy
day and the ice on the lake is like
glass. Do you skate? | could keep
an eye on you as we'll outside as |
can in the house. Dads SO afraid
you'll get away!"
Il should say / dol Love it! But
l have no skates"
"Oh, that's all right. Bobby has his
sled out this morning and his skates
are in the hall. They are adjustable,
you know"
That's fine! I'm glad you suggest
ed it. If you don't think Bobby will
care, I'll use his skates gladly. 1t is
too fine a day to waste on heaters,
isn't it?"
1T depends" said Betty demurely,
whether the term is masculine or
neuter gender. To prove that it all
depends upon the meaning OF the
word, I'm going to waste a little more
time on you by winding up the phono-
graph for you while | get my things.
What record shall it be. Here's a
lovely waltz-Estellita' and so
dreamy and smooth you forget you're
dancing and just float. There, isn't
that pretty?"
Dandy! It's a fine tunel But run
along now and get your coat"
I'D better not skate with you until
l know your name" said Betty, put
ting her head through the door.
Henderson" returned the man
quickly. Il get Hen usually"
"AIl right, Mr.. Henderson. Put on
a new record If you like. I'll be ready
in a minute"
After many turns around the lake,
Betty exclaimed: MY but I'm nun
CRY! Let's stop long enough to go
over to Boyd's and have a hot choc-
olate!"
THE very thing!" assented the
young man. So they had hot choco-
late and Betty vas presented with a
box of candy.
Lets go home now and talk until
dad comes" suggested Betty. I'm
tired and, besides, | want to hear
about the football you used to play
and the golf you play now, and |
want to eat my candy. Really, Mr..
Henderson, you are a very interesting
man and I'm glad you came. I'm sor-
easy to turn back the rugs! Fathers
home! That's the car at the door,
and / do wonder what orr delegates
like"
I'm beginning to feel rather sorry
for the delegate" remarked the young
man.
Here's the heater man, father
called Betty. Il kept him for YOU. ]
was afraid he'd be bored and leave be
fore you came home, so / amused him
by taking him skating"
Il don't understand" puzzled daddy
AAO mdn AIOm oLGGl anu {
is downstairs now. He says the gauges
need adjusting"
Then who" began Betty In
amazement.
But the young mar interrupted
The comedy is ended" he sale
solemnly. And as a fitting climax
have to declare my identity. Mis-
Betty, forgive me! I'm Henderson
Hewitt, delegate. the bug-a-boo of
preacher, the p~ig-in-a-poke, and tn,
most remorseful creature in the worl,
for what I've done. You took me TO
granted, so l allowed my mistaken
identity to be my excuse for a mos
wonderful morning"
What shall we do to him, Betty?
asked daddy, with a twinkle in hi
eye. BE lenient-he's young, daugh
ter, and human"
And he didn't mind IL | did play