The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-03-05


making spools, and my husband wants to
patent it in the States; but then, it is in
Just such 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 particular
ly admired new kind of spool which he
had seen in her work-box, and had asked
several questions concerning it; SO she con-
cluded that it was in the manufacture of
similar articles he was at present engaged,
and, without further hesitation, she took
the parcel The great weight of the article,
compared with its bulk, surprised her as
she received it; it being, as she supposed,
a thin bar of iron, about six inches broad
and two feet long, but not, apparently,
much thicker than piece of card board.
She thought of this as she laid it in the top
of her trunk, having a misgiving whether
it might not in some way injure the apparel
beneath; yet she felt unwilling to secrete 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 voy-
age, just before going ashore at 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 stew
ardness, asked if she would slip them in her
pocket. "And besides," she continued,
81 want you to come ashore with me, and
carry Freddy, if you do not mind the
trouble.'
Mrs. Ford replied that she had no objec-
tion, but was afraid she might not have
time.
"Now, there'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-stewardess to
fix all around, and just do as I ask. Now,
listen; ;my husband has got himself in a
tight place, just now, and 1 guess l shall
have enough on my hands as soon as we
get ashore. We know there's policeman
waiting for him."
GA policeman - cried Mrs. Ford, in
alarm.
"Oh, never frighten yourself" replied
Mrs. Seaton, with her bland smile; "it is
nothing of any consequence. You must
know he holds situation under the govern
ment, and he has got wrong in his accounts.
1t is not much, but he will be arrested as
soon as he steps ashore, and all the business
of getting my things through will fall or
me. So you see do want friend, and
shall feel real bad if you do not help me-"
"Well, of course, we had ratherit should
not happen" was the reply; "but what's
the use of thinking of that The real thing
is to get out of it as quickly as possible
Mr.. Seaton has friends who will come for
ward right away, just as soon as they knew
it, and that is why want you to carry the
letters ashore for me. Put them in YOU
pocket, there's good soul, and keep then
till ask for them, and Mr.. Seaton will mo-
be in this difficulty more than few days
What it would be if could not mail those
letters at once, really could not say"
Mrs Ford slipped the letters into thu
pocket of her loose cloth jacket, and arrang
ing with the under-stewardess that sht
would be back as soon as possible, pre-
pared to accompany Mrs. Seaton at once.
nha1 ha oh ftn,
ing at the Custom House wharf, as Mrs
Seaton had anticipated, policeman quick
ly arrested her husband, who quietly walk
ed off with him after exchanging signifl
cant glance with his wife. 81 told yol
so, )" whispered she to Mrs. Ford, who hat
been few steps behind, with the child il
her arms, but who now drew near expeC
ting to find the bereaved wife in great dis
tress. This, however, was not the case
Mrs. Seaton was far more composed thar
her companion, who felt too much frighteu
ed and puzzled TO pay attention to anything
, around her, or she would have observed tn
scrupulous care with which the baggage Q
the passengers was examined. Mrs. Seato
was actively engaged in opening her boxes
, She paraded rather ostentatiously certai
} new articles ofapparel, and drew the officer
D attention to her silks and gloves.
"oh, yes" she said quite carelessly
she knew she would have duty to pay fo
0 those things, and was quite ready to do SC
0 She had no wish to smuggle, not she, il
deed The officer eyed her keenly throue
: his half-closed eyes, and continued his el
! animation with minute caro-. ouite diffarer