The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-12-27

taking the girl by the hand and
drawing her into the room.
Az Christine came near the table
on which stood the box she saw IN
large black letters, the words, MRS
Charles Knox. Elton, CAL.
''Oh,", exclaimed Christine nov
thoroly overcome with discontinue
II see that have made q great mis-.
take, do forgive me-" and she turned
away making an exit more expedite,
GUS than graceful.
Much chagrined and disappointed
Christine went slowly back along the
track, wondering what she could d.
to recover her pig, which she was
still quite sure had been deposited or
the station platform according Ia
promise. She had nearly reached
the station again when she heard
quick steps coming behind her, and
handsome young man Joined heI
whom she addressed as Ernest and to
whom she at once related her dis
concerning story.
Why" he exclaimed, II believe
know where your pig is. Do you
see that boy climbing the hill over
there with box under his arm? You
60 into the station and wait for me.
I'll take after him and bring him
back, pig and all. / am bigger than
he is you see."
Christine took this very sensible
advice, for even in December the
California sun it hot. After waiting
several minutes which seemed inter-
minable, she heard loud cries just
outside the station house. She went
to the door and found her friend and
volunteer helper holding q boy by
the collar, the latter, meanwhile
loudly protesting against his en-
forced return to the station.
Christine thought the exact psyche
logical moment for her interference
had arrived, she therefore APP
preached the boy and said with we'll
assumed sternness, "Why did you
pick up that box from the freight
train when you knew 1t wasn't for
your"
Train nothing" the boy answered
Indignantly, my cousin brought it
in buggy and met me here, it's for
our Christmas dinner"
"Oh, is it," asked Christine sar-
castically, you know better, it is
my Christmas dinner"
Your dinner" exclaimed the boy
now furiously angry, "I'd just like
to know how 1t came to be yeur din
ner?" w.
Because it was sent to me on the
freight train for that very purpose,
SO now you'd just better save trouble
by giving up my pig"
"Pig!" exclaimed the boy with an
uproari0us laugh. Then he seemed
to have sudden Inspiration, and
loosening his hold on the box, which
he had been hugging tightly, he
turned 1t around showing a slat
covered side, and as If in answer to
Christine's accusation, q Plymouth
Rock rooster stuck his head between
the Stats and gave a triumphant
crow. The boys collar was instantly
released and when the laughter had
subsidized Christine said in very
humble tone, II certainly owe you an
apology"
At this moment fourth member
was added to the little group in the
person of the store keeper, who hear
ing the laughter, crossed the street
out of pure curiosity. A group of
people standing beside the railroad
track and indulging in laughter so
EARLY in the morning, was by no
means SO common an event in Elton
that it could be passed by in silence.
The situation was at once explained
to him, and when his laughter was
over he said. II think, Miss Ran
ford, can tell you what became of
your pig. Just after the freight |
went by, the young man who lives in |
that house over there" indicating |
by wave of his hand the house from |
whose garage she had seen the
limousine emerge, Game along re-.
turning from his daily morning
walk. l saw him stop and look at
and then pick up box
and walk off with it,
oh" exclaimed Christine incre-
lulously, "are you sure he carried
he box OFF,"
Il wish I were just as sure of a
million dollars rejoined the man
mpulsively. '..You know they are
lew people here" he added, as If
hat accounted for all vagaries.
Let me 60 and see about it for
,ou,' exclaimed the willing Ernest.
christine shook her head decisively
md then walked away slowly, lost
n thought. 1t was hard for her to
relieve that anyone living in that
'eautiful house could, by any posi- {
ility, take away a piece of property I,
elonging to another. The store {
eeper's story certainly seemed suf- |
cientN evidence on which to call /
n these new people and demand the (
ost box, yet again how could she I
ring herself to visit people whom \
he had never seen on such an err l
and, but If she didn't make an eff 9
ort to recover her lost property how {
ould she ever again face her kind c
nd thoughtful cousin 10? Should
he remain passive while the fruits {
I her cousins efforts were SO sadly
At this moment
'rnest Joined her and again insisted I
hat he should be allowed to do the Id
isagreeable errand. a
NO" she said firmly, II must go &
lyself, they can't kill me IL they '