The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1924-12-10
THE
PRACTICAL
JOKER
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB
20. 1924. Western Newspaper UniOn-)

&reWsouely. LUX mere. cyrus, you re
my best chum and you are the cousin
of the girl / love. You must know
her futher and his ways pretty well.
Is he really the terrible tyrant they
describe hIm7"
Ned" explained Cyrus, solemnIy.
''he's a regular ogre. He'll probably
gnash his teeth and jump on you and
maybe throw you from his Office win
dow. 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.
If he had not been SO much in love,
he might have noticed sly twinkle
in the eye of his misunderstanding
comrade.
"Well," observed Ned after q mo-
ment of serious thought, "I'll beard
this desperate lion in his den, come
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 dignifed 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 distance. OF a YER
ity the judge was rather severe and |
ultra-dignified looking person. Ned
could show up pretty well, however, as
to family income and prospects, If |
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, cit
would doom your case at the start.
Truth is, am down in the judges
bad books for joke l 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, sayl" fairly
shouted Cyrus, as though struck by
a sudden idea of tremendous force
"the very thingl"
"What is?' inquired Ned hopefully.
why didn't / think of it before! "
exclaimed Cyrus; magnificent! 1t
solves the problem. can put you
in just right with the judge-hurrah
/. d. L. A. S. o. NJ"
"Ehl" stared the bewildered Ned,
If his friend was taking
leave of his senses.
"T Dearly Love A Son Of Menus
-see?" propounded Cyrus.
Il don't" confessed Ned in hope
less wonderment.
Secret society. Great go in town
two years ago. Got the judge to join
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."
"What'll he do then?'
Recognize you as brother men,
you to his fraternal and
,aternal arms. Oh, how lucky I
hought of it," and Cyrus chuckled
Ill he wriggled.
In perfect good faith Ned Dayton
allied at the office of Judge Allen the '
Glowing day. He stated his name. l
les, his host had heard him men
Toned by his daughter, but he said so 6
ruffly and he scanned the young man q
yer as if he was on the witness 5
tand. I
Judge Allen" spoke our hero, 81
ave come on very particular err
and, but first-T. D. L. A: S. O. NJ" a
WHAT
The eminent jurist turned black in il
ne face. He gave his innocent Wis
or terrible look. n
I" 'Sesquepedalian," added the over n
Dnfident Ned with a knowing smile.
"Why-whyl" fairly shrieked the
ldge. jumping to his feet and seiz-
lg law book. did you come here
} insult me? II you don't get out of =
lis office double quick I'll break =
very bone in your body!" :,
Bang. Smash Chatter the per-
Irbed Net got through the doorway :
st as the ponderous law tome grazed
s head, shattered the glass in the -,
lice door and preceded him on a =
shing roll down the stairs and to "
e street :.
Ned sought his friend Cyrus for
nsolation. but found that he had -
spiciously and mysteriously left
wn on fishing trip. He dared not
nture to call at the Allen home that
ght, but managed TO meet Leila ON
e street.