The Shasta courier., 1869-06-05
SH ASIA COU Err.
A Custom House Trick.

The following story illustrates one of
the many ways in which the British reve-
nue. laws were occasionally evaded in the
good old times" and shows how the Gov
ernment was defrauded by the trickery of
its own agents. Those who have paid
some attention to the late whisky trials in
this country will recognize in Mr.. .Archi-
bald Macnab an old acquaintance, one who
has many counterpart in Uncle Sans
service at the present time.
Archibald Macnab was Custom House
officer in Centre, in the latter part of the
past century, He had a Government COM
mission to seize smuggled goods, which
were by no means scanty in those days !;
and it was even whispered that Archibald
Macnab himself had discovered the art of
doing stroke of business in that way on
his own account; or, at any rate, of appro-
priating portion of the seizure to his own
private use. However, he was gifted with
wit and surprising ingenuity, which made
his success the more sure and sertain. In
hrs personal appearance he was peculiar !;
for he was considerably under the ordinary
stature of man, and was exceedingly broad
and round. He wore knee brccchcs, with
white stockings to his %rgs, which were
stout and shapely and an ornament on any
street path. He was also possessed of
great strength, and has been known to half
kill man with the grasp Of his fingers
about his neck. 1t was Of no use to 20 to
law with Archibald, for he was his own
lawyer, and he was so cunning that he could
always gain the plea.
AT this time Mr.. Cameron was an excise
officer in the town and was very keen to
apprehend smuggled goods. 1t was whis-
pered to him one day that Archibald
Macnab had some rolls of smuggled tobacco
in his house so Mr.. Cameron went there
to search for it. Archibald was master
of politeness, and he addressed his visitor
in mild and friendly language. Z" How
are ye, this day, Mr. Cameron Is your
wife pretty well, Mr.. Cameron Are your
BARNS pretty well, Mr. Cameron And
is it well with all your kth and kin, Mr..
Cameron? And it's kind of ye to be call
ing upon me, Mr.. Cameron. Maybe, you've
some particular business with me this dav.
Mr.. Cameron If so | shall be glad to
hear it of ye, Mr.. Cameron; so, perhaps,
you'll take seat, MIR. Cameron" lie
was always polite, was Archibald Macnab
Mr.. Cameron took scat, and said, at
is on business that have come to YOU to-
day, Mr.. Macnab; and rather important
business, too. The fact is, that have re-
ceived information that you have a large
quantity of smusgled tobacco concealed in
Your loft; and must search it, in order to
prevent fraud on the Government.
Archibald Macnab lifted up his hands
and eyes in amazement "Oh, Mr.. Cam
eronl is it against me that you have sus-
picionsl Me J Archibald Macnab man
bound in. duty to protect the revenues of
my country Oh preserve me! Surely,
Mr.. Cameron, you have been sent on a
FOOLS errand. How could tobacco be in
my loft, and me not to know it? Preserve
me p
/" However unpleasant my duty must be,
Mr.. Macnab, both to you and myself" said
Mr.. Cameron, still, it is my duty; and
must obey it. | must, therefore, persist
in my determination to search your loft !.
and hope you will not throw any upnec-
essary obstacles in my way Imust request
you to furnish me with light"
:" You shall have as many as you wish
for, Mr.. Cameron But no tobacco will
you find. It's a fools errand that you're
come upon" said Archibald Macnab.
But Mr.. Cameron mounted the ladder
and had no sooner set foot in the loft. than
he kicked against roll Of tobacco and
holding out the light, he saw bile Of
these rolls.
/" Hol hol Mr.. Macnab p he ioyfullv
cried where is my FOOLS errand now?
MY information was correct; the tobacco
is here p
"Preserve me!' said Archibald. dts
trick that some one has played upon me.
Mr. Cameron. Are you sure it's tobacco
Mr.. Cameron Is there much of it7 Mr.
Cameron Oh! is it not sinful world
Mr.. Cameron In my loft, too. Mr.. Cam.
eron and me bound to protect the revenues
of the country Oh! what shall I do NJ
Cameron"
For the present, you take charge of
these rolls as throw them down. said
Mr.. Cameron. And he began to pitch
them down from the loft, counting one
two, three, as he did So He counted mn
to thirty, and then said that was all and
getting on the ladder, came down from the
loft When he had landed safely on the
floor, there was Archibald Macnab stand;no
there, and at his feet was small half rot
ten roll of tobacco. Nv
Why, where is my tobacco ?' cried
Mr.. Cameron.
" Your tobacco, Mr.. Cameron z" replied
Archibald, quite politely; your tobacco
is here" And he gave him the half
roll, but took good care to say nothing Of
the others which he had contrived to nnt
away into some secret place while Mr. Cam.
eron was busted in the loft.
"0h,i this won't do at all p cried M