The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-08-11
A SmuggIer's Device.

wear from Antwerp a gentleman of the
| Hebrew faith, who is said to be one OF
the cleverest diamond smugglers in the
world. His success has always been
peculiarly exasperating to the customs
officials, and some time ago they went
to the trouble and expense of getting a
Hamburg detective to shadow him,
find out what gems he bought and where
he carried them when in Europe. An
other man was to keep him company
on the steamer and watch him closely
all the voyage over.
This clever smuggler wore thick,
black beard and whiskers, and it was
more than suspected that he carried his
precious freight concealed in those
| luxuriant decorations of his visage,
One bright morning not long ago the
eager authorities on this side received a
cable dispatch from their Hamburg
agent, which read as follows:
''R. has shaved beard. Did mot know
it until he had sailed five days. Is on
Rhynland. Got seventy large diamonds
on person.
As soon as the Rhynland was sighted,
six ambitious custom house officers
steamed down the bay and intercepted
her. Circulating among the passen-
gers, they looked in all directions for
the now beardless and shaven Hebrew.
just as they were about to give up the
search very obvious child of Israel
sought confidential conversation with
them.
"You are custom house officers, and
you look for Rosenberg with the dia
monds?n
"We are. and we do.
THAT is Rosenberg, and the dia-
monds are sewed in the lining of his
necktie.h
In another minute a pale, smooth
faced sallow gentleman was struggling
in the hands of the officers. His scarf
was unceremoniously taken from his
neck and carefully explored with a
sharp pen-knife. Sure enough, twenty
diamonds of various sizes rewarded the
seekers after contraband goods. His
trunk was next rummaged and every
necktie subjected to equal scrutiny.
When the officers had finished their
work no less than seyenty-three dia-
monds of great luster had been discov-
cred.
The poor fellow wept and wrung his
hands as he saw the captors of his
property jump into cab when they
reached the dock and carry off his
precious gems. Imperfectly comforted
by the reflection that he had been al
lowed to retain his liberty, he slowly
and sadly proceeded to the Metropoli-
tan Hotel, and engaging room, almost
Immediately took bath.
When the custom house officers ar
rived at headquarters the chief, who
held cablegram in his hand, eagerly
inquired:
did you get Rosenberg?''
Eyes, sir
"Where were the stones?'
"Sewed in the Innings of his neck
ties"
That's rather strange" remarked
the chief. Here's Hamburg dis
patch which says: just learned that
r. carried diamonds between back and
porous plaster. "
"Here are the diamonds, anyhow"
said the leaders of the raid, land we
found 'em just as we tell you, in the
Innings of his neckties."
The chief looked long and silently at
the conliscated gems, then he rang his
little bell.
"Send Mr.. Smith, the jewel expert,
here, if you please"
Mr.. Smith, the jewel expert, came,
examined the diamonds, twirled his
moustache, shrugged his shoulders, and
said laconically:
"Paste! but tirst-class."
Three frantic custom-house officers
spent the afternoon tracing Mr.. Rosen-
berg. As soon as they had discovered
that he had gone to the Metropolitan
Hotel they dashed there as fast as two
fresh horses could carry them, Without
a word of ceremony they burst into his
apartment.
"What do you want?" he inquired
with well simulated apprehension.
For answer they threw him on his
face and made frantic exploration of
that particular portion of his back
which had borne a porous plaster. Alas!
he had taken his bath, and the plaster
had vanished, but where it had been,
mixed with the impression of the little
round preparations of the plaster, were
the distinct imprints of seventy large
diamonds.
Ever since no plastcr-wearing persons
are allowed to land on that portion of
the American soil which is protected by
the custOm-house officers of New York.
N Y HorI1