The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-03-05
Throwing Away a Chance.
AN INTERESTING STORY.

TT WAS right ON the Atlantic, and the
Il 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 the cabin-door. 1t seemed to be given
by cautious finger, unwilling to be heard
farther than was necessary; and, supposing
it to be a warning from the steward that it
was time to put out the lights, she glanced
at her watch in surprise, and then going to
the door she exclaimed
"Why, Mr.. Green, it is not eleven yet,
and / am not quite ready. Wait q bit"
"It is not Mr.. Green" replied voice
outside. 81 want to speak to you, Mrs.
Ford. May come imp"
"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 closing the door,
she addressed the stewardess in low eau
tious tone, while holding and turning over
long, thin parcel, which she drew out
from the 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. Do put it in your trunk
till we can take it quietly ashore"
Mrs. Ford hesitated. OF course, it was
not her business to disoblige passengers;
but, then, smuggling was dangerous; 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 were already such old acquaintances
as to seem quite like friends. Moreover,
this time Mr.. and Mrs. Seaton had an ad-
ditional charm for Mrs. Ford, being accom-
panied by their infant son, fine, lively
little fellow, about two years old. Mrs.
Seaton had kept her berth, on plea of sick
ness, for most of the voyage, and the stew
ardess had profted by the occasion to be-
come nurse to the child, a charge she glad
ly accepted, and fulfilled with care.
Observing that she hesitated, Mrs. Seaton
continued, in half-careless, half-fattering
tone:
81 told my husband you were SO good
natured, was sure you would oblige us in
trife of this kind, but of course, if you
would rather not, here is an end OF the
matter. We hope, if we are not disappoint-
ed, to make quite fortune for little Fred
dy. But if this isinjured, by carelessless, u
and here she again glanced at the parcel
in her hands, "my husband will be awful
mad"
81 would be very glad to oblige you,
madam; but it would be awkward, if got
mixed up with any smuggling matters
The Company would dismiss me, and one
must think Of oneself"
Smuggling p' said Mrs. seaton, smiling
blandly; goodness this is no smuggling
It's Just the most innocent little machine
in the world. am sure kind as you have
been to us, / would be the last person to b.
so mean as to injure you.
guess it will do you no harm, any way
II would be too unkind to get You int
trouble, whenyou have been SO good Il
Freddy, all along"
~ am sure you were welcome to any
thing could do for the little darling, mad
am; but 1t is quite another thing"
"Yes, yes; I know that. But, bless you
II will not hurt you. 1t is q machine 70