Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-11-16
A Weak Husband.

n 8eHtIcluaH HoiuiuS uiBu Olii-
cial position in the courts of law in
Paris, during the long vacation, went,
in company with his wife, on tour
of pleasure in Belgium. After having
travelled through that interesting
country, they werereturning home By
the railway, the husband with his
mind quite at rest, like mn blessed
with an untroubed conscience,
while the lady felt that uncomforta-
blc sensation which crises from the
recol ection of some inprudenee, or Il
dread of some approaching danger
When they were near the frontier, the
la.ly could no longer restrain her I'M
ea~ines~ Leaning towards her Inns
band, she whispered to him
/ have lace in my portmanteau-
taee it and conceal it, that it IN y not
be seized
'What I! rs snug Ter 2 exclaim-
ed the husband, in voice between
establishment and alright.
st is beautiful Malnes lace, and
cost great deal replied the lady.
we are not quite near the custom
house hasten to conceal it,
tits impossible +; / cannot do it !!
said the gentleman.
'On the contrary, ii is very easy
was the reply. 'The lace will fit in
the bottom of your hat
But do you recollect,' rejoined the
gentleman, 'the position | occupy 2
But recolect,' said the wife, there
is not an instant to lose, and this lace
cost me 500 francs.
During the conversation the train
rapidly approached the dreaded sta
ton. Imagine the CONSERVATION OF
the worthy magistrate, who had
always been in the habit OF consider
ing things, with calm and slow de-
liberation. thus Unexpectedly placed
in position so embarrassing and SO
critical. Overcome and perplexed
by his difficulties, and losing all pres
ence of mind, he allowed his wife to
put the lace in his hat, and, having
placed it on his head, he forced it
down almost to his ears, and then
resigned himself to his fate. At this
station the travellers were invited to
come out of the carriage, and to walk
into the room where the custom
house agents were assembled. The
gentleman concealed his uneasiness
the best he could, and handed his
passport with an air of assumed in
difference. When his position as
Judge became known, the officials OF
the custom-house Immediately has
tened to tender their respects, land de-
clared they considered it quite I'M
necessary to examine the luggage
labelled with the name of one who
occupied such an important situation
in the State. Never had the magis.
trate more sincerely valued the re-
spect attached to his position and
if secret remorse for moment dis
turbed his mind, at least he breathed
more freely when he recollected the
danger had passed, and the violation
of the revenue laws he committed
would escape discovery. When bis
comfortable assurance, and while a
severe examination was passing on
the property of other passengers, the
head of the custom house and the
commander of the local gendarmerie,
having heard of the arrival Of so dis
tinguished person, came to offer him
their respects. To their profound
salutation the judge responded by
Immediately raising his hat with the
utmost politeness. Could he do less
But, alas in his polite obeisance he
had forgotten the contents of his hat.
He had scarcely raised it from his
head when cloud of lace rushed out,
covering him from head to foot, IS
with large marriage veil What
language can describe the confusion
of the detected smuggler, the despair
of the wife, the amusement of the
spectators, or the establishment of the
custom-house officers, at the scene ?
The offence was too public to be
overlooked. With many expressions
of regret on the part of the authori-
ties, the magistrate was detained till
the matter should be investigated.