Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-08
Misfellaneous.
THE STEWARDESS' STORY.

1t was night on the Atlantic, and the
Stewardess of the steamship "City Of"
was preparing herself for bed, all the lady
passengers having retired to their berths,
when her attention was called by low
tap at her cabin-door 1t seemed to be
given by cautious fingers, unwilling to be
heard farther than was necessary; and,
supposing it to be warning from the
steward that it was time to put out the
lights, she glanced at her watch in sur
prise, and then going to the door she eX-
claimed -
why, Mr. Green, it is not eleven yet.
and | am not quite ready. Wait a bit !"
1T is not Mr.. Green" replied voice
outside. 81 want to speak to you Mrs.
Ford. May come in ?''
''Oh, certainly, madam was the imme-
diate reply, as Mrs. Ford opened the door
to one of the lady passengers. The young
woman entered, and after carefully closing
the door, she addressed the stewardess in
a low, cautious tone, while holding and
turning over long, thin parcel, which
she drew out from towel loosely wrapped
around it.
"Mrs. Ford, will you put this in your
trunk for me? You say we shall be in the
harbor tomorrow, and we don't want to
have this little parcel overhauled at the
custom house. Doput it in your trunk till
we can take it quietly ashore"
Mrs. Ford hesitated OF course, it was
not her business to dsoblige passengers :;
but, then. smuggling was dangerous. and
this looked something uncommonly like it.
Still, the lady who made the request was
well known to the stewardess, and seemed
particularly friendly to her. 1t was not
the first time she and her husband had
crossed the Atlantic in the same ship; SO
they We're already such old acquaintance
as to seem quite like friends. Moreover,
this time Mr.. and Mrs Seaton had an ad-
ditional charm for Mrs Ford, being ac-
companied by their infant son, fine,
| lively little fellow, about year old. Mrs.
.Seaton had kept her berth, on plea of
sickness, for most of the voyage, and the
stewardess had profted by the occasion to
become nurse to the child, a charge she
gladly accepted, ana fulfilled with care.
Observing that she hesitated, Mrs Sea-
ton continued, in half careless, half-fat-
tering tone:
II told my husband you were so good
natured, | was sure you would oblige us
in tritle of this kind; but, of course. if
you would rather not, there is an end of
the matter. We hope, if we are not dis
appointed, to make quite a fortune for lit
tie Freddy. But if this is injured by care
lessness," and here she again glanced at
the parcel in her hands, "my husband will
be awful mad"
81 would be very glad to obligc you,
madam; but it would be awkward, if /
got mixed up with any smuggling matters.
The Company would dismiss me, aud one
must think of oneself.
"Smuggling said Mrs. Seaton smiling
blandly; goodness. this is no smuggling
1t is just the most innocent little machine
in the world. | am sure, kind as you have
been to us, would be the last person TO
be so mean as to iniure you. | guess it
would do you no harm any way. 1t would
be too unkind any way to get you into
trouble, when you have been so good to
Freddy. all along"
II am sure, you were welcome to any
thing could do for the little darling,
madame but it is quite another thing
Yes, yes: | know that But, bless
you, it will not hurt you. 1t is Il machine
for making spools. and my husband wants
to patent it in the States but then it is in
just suelA-a condition now, that If it be
meddled with it will be ruined, that's all.
If they do by any chance get hold OF it, we
must put up with its being spoiled but
guess they will never interfere with you"
Mrs. Ford remembered now that during
the last voyage, Mr.. Seaton had partcu-
larly admired new kind of spool which
he had seen in her work-box. and had
asked several questions concerning it; so
she concluded that it was in the manufac-
ture of similar articles he was engaged,
and without further hesitation, she took
the parcel. The great weight of the arti-
Gle, compared with its bulk. surprised her
rs she received it, it being as she supposed
a thin bar of iron, about six inches broad
and two feel long, but not, apparently
much thicker than II piece of card board
She thought of this as she laid it in the top
OF her trunk, a misgiving whether it might
not in some way injurc the apparel be-
meath Yet she felt unwilling to secrcte it
further, under the circumstances. Her
visitor, with many thanks, retired, and
Mrs. Ford soon forgot the matter in sleep.
Late in the afternoon of the following day,
as they drew near the end of their voyage,
Just before going ashore ut the custom
house, Mrs. Seaton sought another tete-
a-tete with Mrs. Ford. She held in her
hand two letters. and offering them to the
stewardess, asked if she would slip them
into her pocket. "And, besides,n she
continued, II want you to come ashore
with me and carry Freddy, if you do not
mind the trouble
Mrs. Ford replied that she had no OBJ
lection, but that she was afraid she might
not have time.
Nov lhere's good SOUL cried Mrs
Seaton, edo say you will right away.
am in trouble and am sure when you
know it you will leave the under-stew
ardess to fix up all around and just do as
| ask. Now LISTEN My husband has got
himself ina tight place, just now, and |
guess shall have enough on my hands as
soon as we step ashore. We know there's
Il policeman waiting for him."
"A policeman" cried Mrs. Ford in
alarm.
''Oh, never frighten yourself" replied
Mrs. Seaton with Il bland smile; 1T is
nothing of any consequence. You must
know, he holds situation under the gov
ernment, and he has got wrong in his ac.
! II iS nnt rnuah hnt ba will ko ~.