The Tomahawk., 1924-12-04
THE
PRACTICAL
JOKER
q. 1924. Western Newspaper Union.)
SORRY for you, Ned" oil
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB


my best chum and you are the cousin
Of the girl / love. You must know
her father and his ways pretty we'll.
Is he really the terrible tyrant they
describe him?"
Ned" explained Cyrus, solemnly.
hes a regular ogre. He'll probably
gnash his teeth and jump on you and
maybe throw you from his office win
dow. l know two fellows who made
up to Leila and submitted their pros
poets to the old man. One has left
town and the other Is running yet"
Ned looked pretty much concerned.
II he had not been so much in love,
he might have noticed a sly twinkle
In the eye of his mischief making
comrade.
"Well," observed Ned after mo-
ment Of serious thought, I'll beard
this desperate lion In his den, como
what may"
Ned was inspired with no ordinary
love for pretty petted Leila Allen, the
alleged ogre's only daughter. He had
come down to Hopeton at the invita-
ton Of Cyrus Moore, his chum, to meet
his fate. 1t was decidedly up to him
now to advise stern dignified old
Judge Allen that he wished to enter
his family as a son-in-law.
There could be no possible objec-
tons to this, except that Ned had
no business experience and was credu-
lous and innocent of the ways Of the
world. If this latter had not been
true he would have discounted Moore's
lurid references to Leila's father and
have recalled Moore's reputation as a
practical joker on all occasions.
Ned had not as yet seen Judge
Allen except at a distance. OF YER
ity the judge was a rather severe and
ultra-dignified looking person. Ned
could show up pretty well, however, as
TO family income and prospects, II
he was only given chance to pre-
sent his claims.
That's just 1t, you see,' declared
Cyrus, the sly tease. ITS breaking
the first Ice with the judge that
counts"
"Say, couldn't you introduce me-"
suggested Ned with eagerness.
me? Why" declared Cyrus, ut
would doom your case at the start.
Truth Is, I am down in the judges
bad books for a joke played on him.
Mixed up some law references he had
in an important case and made a
monkey Of him in open court. He
never forgave me- Oh, say" fairly
shouted Cyrus, as though struck by
a sudden idea of tremendous force
"the very thing"
"What isT inquired Ned hopefully.
'Why didn't I think Of 1t before ~
| exclaimed Cyrus; magnificent! 1t
solves the problem. I can put you
in just right with the judge-hurrah
I. D. L. 4. S. o. NJ"
"Eh!" stared the bewildered Ned,
wondering If his friend was taking
leave of his senses.
az Dearly Love A Son OF Menus
-see?" propounded Cyrus.
81 DON'T" confessed Ned in hope
less wonderment.
Secret society. Great 60 in town
two years ago. Got the judge to join.
Initiated him. First thing you do
when you see him shout that at him.
Then give the password"
"What is it?' inquired Ned in his
artless way, catching on.
"Sesquepedalian."
"Whatll he do then?'
Recognize you as brother men,
, ber-take you to his fraternal and
paternal arms. Oh, how lucky
| thought Of it!' and Cyrus chuckled
till he wriggled.
! In perfect good faith Ned Dayton
called at the office of Judge Allen the
| following day. He stated his name.
Yes, his host had heard him men,
I toned by his daughter, but he said so
gruffly and he scanned the young man
over as If he was on the witness
! stand.
| Judge Allen" spoke our hero, 81
have come on q very particular err
rand, but first-T. D. L. A. 8. o. M"
| what"
| The eminent jurist turned black In
the face. He gave his innocent Wis
ltor a terrible look.
"'Sesquepedalian," added the over
| confident Ned with knowing smile.
"Why-whyw fairly shrieked the
Judge, jumping to his feet and seiz-
Ing a law book. did you come here
to insult me7 If you don't get out Of
this office double quick I'll break
every bone in your body!"
Bang! Smash! Chatter the per-
turbed Net got through the doorway
just as the ponderous law tome grazed
his head, shattered the glass In the
office door and preceded him on a
rushing roll down the stairs and to
] the street.
Ned sought his friend Cyrus for
consolation. but found that he had
suspiciously and mysteriOusly left
| town on a fishing trip. He dared not
venture to call at the Allen home that
| night, but managed to meet Leila on