Connecticut western news., 1875-01-15
winckworth,s Returm.

LIVERPOOL TO NEW YORK; CUSTOM HOUSE
 OFFICER BOUGHT.
 Of my return trip little need be said, as 1t was but repetition of my former expe- riences, with the addition of some heavier weather and high winds. When about TOO miles from Sandy Hook we had the bad luck to break our propeller, and hay ing our rudder chain carried away, delayed us about twenty -four hours. But as "AlPs we'll that ends well" and 1 landed safely and In good order, have good and suffi- cient reason for being thankful 1t was no worse. But want to say word about my reception in New York by the custom house officers of that port, and explain how two of them were bought soith British gold, and endeavor to show how some of the revenue officers increase their incomes. When the inspectors boarded the steamer to examine the baggage, one of them came to me to examine mine. One of my trunks WAS passed, marked in chalk as all right. and check given me accordingly; but not
 
 article subject to duty, but he made no par. ticular remark until had repacked. when he marked the trunk. but l did not notice any difference iE the mark until com menced to move 1t, when he said: "Are you going to leave the city tonight 2'' "Yes." "Well, there is duty to pay on that article" "Indeed2" ?" "Yes; you have been here before, and know the rela- tive value of such things on both sides, aud 30 of course cannot expect to brlng them in here without paying duty" "Well, what am to do2" ''It must go through the Custom House and be valued, then pay Gd UoIorena duty" ''I can't stay here; or at any rate don't want to. Is there no way of settling it at once, on the spot ?'' "Oh, no; that is none of my business; dare not do that" You know 1t will be great annoyance to be obliged to stay here; you see how the matter stands; l want to get away as soon as can; now, between you and I, can't we settle this business between us?" Indignantly ''No" At this point of the conversation he beckoned to another officer, and re- ferred the matter to him. He was equally indignant, but added as he walked away, ''Do as you have mind; don't care. ' During all the time this controversy was going on, we were walking up and down the deck, and he recommended: "Does any one know on board that you have that" ''No; no one." "You want tc leavs the city at once ?" "Yes." CTher came the question I was waiting for)- "What do you want to do2" '.I will give you sovereign to let 1t pass" Cant yor do better than that? You see there ars two of us in it now shall have to divid. with the other officer to square him." (H. hesitated some time so to clinch the bar gain. offered him another half soyer eign, and SO settled it.) He then said Lets have it; but don't let any one set you give 1t to me-" So, as we promenadet the deck, slipped the gold into his hant unseen. After this little performance i was very amusing to see the care and pain he took to obliterate the first mark on m, trunk end remark 1t as passed. Thu ended my revenue experiences. I hay, since compared notes with others, and hay, no hesitation in saying that a judiciou handling of little money will save grea deal of trouble and delay, and if hint 0 two would be of any service l am willin, to give It. l can also substantiate th above statement on oath, backed by wit nesses- E. WNoKwoRTH.
 bLAKEyILLE, Jan. II, 1875.