New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-14
HooDWINKING. CUSTOMS OFFIcERs.
THE TRICKS OF CLEVER sMUGGLERs-AN NsPEcT-
oR's RECTAL

THE TRICKS OF CLEVER sMUGGLERs-AN INsPECr-
oR's RECTAL
sThe trouble about Mr.. Irvings properties
said Custom House official the other day, reminds ms
of curious case which under my notice some few
years ago. was examiner in those days aud Guilt
waited that sixth sense which all capable examiners ac-
qure whereby they tell Rt glance whether or nos
the homeward-bou traveller is trying 20 beat the
Government One day my attention was rafied TO re-
markedly well dressed and rather attractIye-looknS
woman who arrived Cunarder. No, sir! am
married man II not her looks, as you suggesl
but her trunks which attracted me. They were numer
Gus and capacioas and when opened disclosed gamens
after garment Of the richest materials and most fash
ion able design To my mute glance Of asonshnent az
per declaration that no dUtabe article were among
them she calmly took the ground from beneath my feee
by saving that she actress and heI wardrobe was
therefore exempt from duty AS tools OF trade ImusE
confess that still felt dubious, but my doubts were dis
spated when. with much indignation at my repeated
hats she produced contract signed by one OF the Lead
inr New-York managers engaging her for season OK
forty weeks apolOgized we'll rs could and sha
departed with an indignant whirl OF her petticoats
which sPoEe volumes.
THAT night CHANGED to be standing the lobby OF
the theatre owned by the manager whose signature was
M the bottom Of contract bad scanned In the on-
ing Fine looking woman. yOur new actress, said L
what new actress said he why Miss -, said u
mentioning the name Of the lady with the trunks
What are you giving US retorted the manager. Z
never heard the IN my life turned hot ANA cold
by turns humilintng sense OF the plan by when
had been for flashed across me- vent behind thS
scenes and the managers partner 70 make sare ana
then started of-lO o'clock at night anu raining caOs
II Would not do to tell you the means used to obtain
nv ends for those official secrets Is enough TO say
that shortly alter midnight had oil the goods in teq
custody OF one Of my men aud my lady herself sate
makers OF this city ana would have netted by her eeyec
little scheme good many hundred dollars II II nad ony
worked-but II didn't she got six months and hhe
OF So 900 instead. She didn't pay the fine because sue
coudn. but she ruined all the same ana mas since
e man gets pretty sharp we slip up Occasonally
Tor INSTANCE we received word from Europe about twq
years ago tnnt man. OF whom accurate description
was given, would leave England on certain steahies
and 5robably would attempt snuggle large quantity
female companion, We we're told put her deseIipto9
good results so and an inspector went down on ING
revenue cutter and boarded the ship at guaIShnS, "a
eye him aud watched all his mSyements anu ' b
landed every article turned out OF his trunks anu
nTsS and Iroidef and tapped and stu diamonds sp.
pesred In spite OF his struggles and far from BOIci
ms54er Then came the lady's turn and she was pus
through precisely the same process WIN tl9
she used II as pointed as his was less strongly
haas M RS fOSnd We had 70 let the pa
co. though vas convinced that IN some rn'ae9
IL tirned out We had done all could and save for
ding error, aiterward discovered, Soula nsrS
prevented Jewels worth $685. 600 coming Into this country
| free OF duty"
what was tho error ~ ,, .t -.
we searchsd the wrong woman His real companion
had sipped quietly away unreeognized ny him WINE we
had subjected to- from her point OF view, unparseea
indgnitiss the wife Of prominent actor whom ous
SMUGGLING friend had shown some slight attention 10 on
the voyage" 80, a.,
q Did YOU hear anything more OF them T.
eyes her husband threatened 10 bring suit
a0b YES / am wearing one how The ieweer 7
bought It from Told the whole story arer had mado
my purchased