Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-10-02

and soon it pleased Madame to b. come
communicative, which was the signal for
a free interchange of sentiment, in which,
1t may well be supposed, was not over
boisterous. Encouraged. however, by
the lady-for such she was in appear
anoe and address, did manage to reply
to her many interrogatories respecting
the United States. The gentleman also
INDUCED freely in his jokes, and We rach-
ed the frontier town, and were summoned
to descend, and ALLOW the French Custom
House officers to inspect our bags and
baggage, ere we were aware of the dis
lance we had travelled l gave my arm
TO the lady, and We walked into q room
provided for passengers, and vas about
returning to look after my o~n baggage.
when the gentleman who had been with
us came back. accompanied by an officer.
"Madame," said the officer, raising his
hat, "has little package of lace, be-
lieve, which ! will trouble her to deliver
to me-"
1 must admit that my lady friend un-
derwent . change Of the seasons most
rapidly. Monsieur" said she, lis mis-
taken. There is my card"
Il have proof" replied the officer,
that you have q package Of valuable
lace"
What proof. Sir" inquired she, with
a holiness which was assumed.
The. best in tine world. Here is a
gentleman who has seen it," and our
friend of the coupe, who had stood in the
background, was pointed out.
"Yes, Madame" said he, my respect
for the laws Of my country ebiiges me
to obey every requirement, and to render
assistance to the proper officers In en-
forcing others, who are 80 torgetful Of
their duty to do the sane. Your travel.
Ing bag, you may remember fell from
your hand, and, while stopped to pick
1t up, l discovered under your manti[la q
package which am sure contains laces.
l know that you W"
Madame here interrupted him with
perfect volley of abuse. She denounced
him as no gentleman, and f ipo, .oquia,
and roieur were freely poured out. She
concluded her essay on his rasoality by
throwing at the officer, the package a.
hded to, and was about honosing him
with Dutch blessing, when he reminded
her that were he to put the law vigorous.
ly IN force her personal liberty would be
in danger.
The officer bowed, and went out with
the informer, whom l concluded was q
spy, and [ attended to tbs inspection of
my trunks, from which loaded pistol
WAS eontiscated as not en- reggie. l then
returned to the room, and there found
Madame just recovering from that inva-
rIabie relief to wounded spirit, q good
cry.
els it possible" said she, THAT we
have been travelling all the morning with
government spy. Thres thousand
francs of laoes gons-Dieu only knows
where. What villain eustomsp'
alluded to the necessity of such laws,
and limited. delieately rs l could. at the
improperly, but political economy is not
q subject In which the sex that dreams of
laces are deeply versed ia. The diligencs
was again packed, and the conductor s
horn summoned us to take our places
The infJrner was in his place, appar-
emily little troubled by the scene which
ne had caused. l looked at him, and
wondered if his nation boosted of many
such law.abiding citizens. turned the
question ever In my own mind, whether
1 could possibly ever arrive at that pitch
of patriotism which would induce mo to
make complaint Of lady who was ia
duiging in such natural freak of fancy.
L freely admit that l set tho irfxmer
down as a vile spy, and felt very much
inclined to intimate that wolves in sheeps'
clothing were more plenty than they
ought to be. Ii the officers had discov-
cred the lace l should have bowed; but
that fellow passenger, one on whom a
lady had devoted many precioas hours OF
conversation, should turn against her,
was step beyond what conceived po-
likeness or necessity. Not a word was
spoken nearly three leagues Madame
sobbed and sighed. The spy hummed an
air with perfect nonchalance, and med
Itated Three leagues more were passed
IN an equally quiet way, and began to
anticipate with pleasure our arrival at
Nalenctennes, where was to pass few
days.
AS We approached that city the spy
broke the monotonous silence by gruffly
saying:
Madame, Ct what value were the la
ces which were taken fiom you g
Madame deigned no reply, and the
question was repeated. Monsieur, /"
che said. the value of them is more than
eau afford TO lose. Dependent upon my
own exertions for the support of my IA
therless children, am engaged in trade,
and though. upon reflection, | think
have done wrong. your conduct is most
base. II WAS my first, it will be my last
offence"
What value, Madame, would the In.
ees have been to you, had you carried the
packages safely to Paris g.
wish TO hold no conversation with
a government spy" she replied.
The gentleman smiled and repeated his
question.
Z" gave in Brussels 5000 francs .r
them in Paris I should have sold them
for nearly 5000 francs" muttered Mad