Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-14
AN ADVENTURE WITH SMUGGLERs
TOLD BY A UNITED STATES CUSTOMS OFF,
GER.

-
The adventure I am about to relate oc-
CURED eight years ago, in the northwest
part of Maine, near the Canadian border.
Our government places a stiff tariff, or
"duty," on many articles OF import, such
as silks, liquors, etc. Human nature is
preverse, and, am sorry to say, there
are men who try to evade the payment,
in other words, "smuggle."
There had been, for number of years
more or less smuggling in that section of
the State, of whisky, clothing, guns, pis-
tolls. These were constantly brought
across the cline" and sold; though for
the most part, in small Quantities.
A good many persons mostly tran.
sient and disreputable fellows---were in
some way interested in it. The subject
one that nobody said much about, how
ever; for to come out openly against the
traffic would have made secret enemies of
class that most persons would rather
keep the right side of.
The writer was then seventeen years old.
Though not much acquainted with any of
the "smugglers," yet knew the country
thereabouts as well, perhaps better. than
almost any other person; for l had trap
trapped and ''prospected' for lumber in
the woods along the border for two or
three years.
That autumn had two acres of pota-
toes to dig. 1t was the first season we
had raised the "Early Rose" potatoes.
they yielded wonderfully. On those two
acres there were raised six hundred BUSH
els. was neaely a fortnight harvesting
the crop.
There came along one morning, as l
was digging, stranger. He was rather
ngular-looking man, dark complexion
ed, with black, stubby beard, and had
On, think, a glazed cap. had seen him
coming across the fields, thirty or forty
rods away, and he struck me as being an
odd fish, even at distance. So | kept
industriously at work, and waited for him
to make his errand known.
He began by remarking that it was
fine weather for trapping. Then he
spoke of hunting caribou up on " the
line" asked about moose there, and
wanted to know if I had ever seen any
other game up that way.
I felt that the fellow was sounding me
for some purpose Of his own, and gave
brief answers, keeping hard at work.
This, however, did not hinder me from
seeing that he was observing me closely;
and began to get angry at such cool
scrutiny from stranger.
Look here?" said /, at length, a good
deal out of patience; "what are you
driving at, anyhow? If you've any bust
"All right,'' said the stranger, II see
you're a square man. Wouldn't you like
to make little money easier than by
digging potatoes?"
Very likely" said.
So thought"
He then went on to say that he was
moving into the States,and had a quantity
of baggage up at Lake Meguntic Gin
Canada), which he wanted to go down,
and ended by offering me one hundred
dollars to make five trips with him
through the woods across the border.
"You might as we'll say that you are
smuggling" observed.
ooh, don't call it by that name at
all"
"Call it what you have a mind to-" said
/, laughing.
'But can't get you to help me2 You
were recommended to me,' he said.
"No, sir"
"But why not?"
''That's my business" told him, but
added that when l couldn't get a living
in a more honorable way than that, l
would 90 some where else and try.
Somewhat to my surprise, the man be-
gan to laugh heartily. He then drew out
apaper and asked me to read it.
''You had better not show me any of
your papers" I said, resuming my work.
'I'm no friend of you smuggling fellows.
You might as we'll put it up and be 60
ing"
sob, I'll look out for myself" said he.
"You just read that"
took it, and saw it was an official
commission to Oliver G. Stuart as
United States customs officer and detec-
tive.
IT'S this your name?" l asked.
SIT Isl" said Mr.. Stuart; and from GER
tain change in is voice and air, l saw that
he had previously been assuming part
"Well," I said, 'syou've fooled me.
suppose that's part Of your trade. But
I guess you haven't got much informa-
ton"
ooh, I have learned what I wanted,
and that is your honest opinion of SNUG
Cling"
"Any mans welcome to that,n 1 re-
torted.
"What do you say to going on the
other tack, then2" questioned Stuart. He
then told me that he had been sent to
discover and arrest gang OF sumgglers
who were operating along that frontier,
and offered me twenty five dollars week
to 60 with him. What he wanted was to
avail himself of my knowledge Of the
country.
wished particularly to earn hundred
dollars that fall, but I refused his offer.
knew that to aid detective would get
me into trouble. l should be "spotted"
and, likely enough. waylaid some night.
But Staurt came again the next day.
He had an oily, hattering tongue, and he
said if [ would do my best to help him
work up this "job" as he called it, he
would get me into the detective service,
where keen young fellow like myself
(such were his words) could soon make a
fortune.