The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-05-27
June Magazines.


The June number of Hu7~'s Ma0asine, COM
meneing the forty-third volume. opens with q
brilliant poem by Mr. William Allen Butler. the
author of Nothing to Wear" The poem is en-
titled General Average" and effectively Por'
trays two characters not uncommon in mercan'
tile life-those of Yankee merchant, Princeps,
and Jew, of the firm of Moses & Brother, in
Secondhand Square !" and shows that even in
cunning a Jew may receive lesson from
shrewd GENTLE. In this number the New York
Custom house, with all it complex operations, Is
for the first time laid open and explained for the
benefit of general readers. "Along the Florida
Reef"by DR.. J. B. Holder, is continued; Porte
Crayon contributes IAN Excursion to Watkins
Glen" illustrated by his own pencil; "Anne
Farness," 1.-The American Barsn," and IAN.
teros," are still continued. The latter will be
concluded in the July number. The shorter
stories in this number AREA Bohemian House
hold,"a very humorous story; love story enti.
tied "That Place under Government" by the
author of my Daughter Elinor !" and the "Con.
fsssional," beautiful domestic sketch, with IN
appropriate moral, translated from the German,
Mr.. G. c. Shackford.
The poetry of the number is contributed by
Mrs. Harriet Prescott Spoford, Miss Kate Put.
nam Osgood, and Alice Carey.
A number of miscellaneous articles. ''Short
Trips to Europe" by William G. Prime, not only
furnishes valuable hints to those about to cross
the Atlantic, but will induce many to visit Eu-
rope who have hitherto hesitated to do 40, deter
red by the idea that one or two months are not
sufficient for an enjoyable European tour 1.-THE
Nan in the Iron Mask" by Eugene Lawrence,
IL . thrilling narrative of the facts known about
that mysterious prisoner of Louis XIV. The
''Horrors Of San Domingo" by Benton J. Leasing,
illustrated with portrait of Toussaint Lower
ture, and "The Demolition of the Throne of
Charles ~" by is. G. Abbott, are timely and
important articles. The Editors Easy Chair,
the Drawer, &C., make up the balance.
The "Custom House" article 10 full Of choice
bits, of which the following is . sample:
CUSTOM HOUSE SMUGGLERs.-Very young IN
fants and small children are used az instruments
for smuggling. On one occasion An immigrant
family, man and wife and two nearly grown-up
daughters, presented themselves. They were very
affable and easy in their manners and without
much trouble to them, were pronounced "all
right" and while the proper proceedings were in
progress for their dismissal one of the officers
saw handsome little boy standing alone, and,
struck by his attractive appearance, and not
knowing to whom he belonged, he spoke to the
child, and attempted to "skylark" with him.
The officer surprised TO find the child could
not bend his body; on examination it was found
shat his clothing was quilted with valuable arti-
ciss of silk manufacture and silver spoons The
little fellow belonged to the family the members
of which had just been pronounced call right"
gentlemanly looking but poorly clad passen.
ger, from his intelligent expression of face and
agreeable manners. was treated with marked con.
sidsration. The officers were easily satisfied
that he was honest that theytook no special
notice of small "lap.cloth," much worn,
which was hanging his arm. A deteo.
tive, at the time "of duty" noticed a carriage
waiting for some person, and asked the driver
tor whom it was intended, and Jehu pointed to
the passenger who WAS approaching with the
lap.cloth, as usual, on his arm. There was some.
thing apparently inconsistent in having a car.
rage for such man. A suspicion being excited,
the officer seized the lap.cloth. On critical
search it was found to be lined or padded with
Brussels lace, that sold at public auction for
eleven thousand dollars.
The fool smuggle- is illustrated by man. said
to be from the western part of the State of New
York, who got diamond worth sixteen thousand
This gem he sold for its full value, and subse-
quently Dragged of his smartness."
AS smugglers women are mere successful than
men. The complications of their dress favor the
business. The modern "chignon" was for time
most excellent depository for smuggled goods
A woman is remembered who was 30 successful
that she WAS constantly crossing the ocean for
the purpose, and in few years acquired hand
some competency. 1t is strange mctamorpho-
sis that these adventures sometimes undergo
when caush. in their work. Some years since a
very pretty woman, remarkable for full bust,
broad hips, and plethoris person generally, pre-.
scented herself for examination. She was very
polite and affable, and came very near escaping
detection. But the famale detective then EN-.
ployed at Castle Garden no sooner put her eyes
on the rotund figure of the object under in.
specton than she invited the 'party" to pri-
vate interview. 1t was incredible what change
was soon affected. Suffice it to say that the
apparently well-ted and portly dame of few
moments before, stripped of inuumerable dry
goods, stepped into public gaze reduced to
wonderfully thin nud rather skeetonized iudi.
viduaL As there i. no penalty for smuggling on
the person except forfeiture, she went sorrow
fully away. Our laws are even more mGrciful
than this; for all goods thus seized car be re.
deemed, though contiscAted, by the payment of
an honestly made apprasement.