Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-06-04

venture upon his domains. In a word,
Mrs. Robinson was awfully seasick.
And, | may add, not in the best of
humor. And when, in asking for her
keys, confessed the hope that she
had followed my wishes and abstsined
from bringing over anything dutiable
in her trunks she was very injured
and-tell it not in Gath-rather cross.
L think you might have more con-
sideration, Henry, than to bother me
at such time. Let the wretches look
for themselves. They'll fnd nothing
in my boxes, I can tell you
It went on deck again with the
keys, and had plenty of time to get
little out of temper myself by the time
we reached the pier. Still, [ should
have beer more than appeased by the
vision of my wife's suffering, but to
| my astonishment when she did arise
up the companion ladder, she was
positively radiant. She had taken
the utmost pains with her personal
appearance, and managed somehow,
I never knew-to fight down the least
traces of her nausea.
''She was very cool, however, to me
-reproachful and indignant. I
thought, at my suggestions about the
Custom House business. / had alludS
ed once or twice to the female search>
er arrangement, and that article in
the Daily News was still running in
my head.
''She did not speak to me for some
time, as we stood watching the boat
made fast to the pier, and when she
did, her first words showed that I was
right in my idea of what was in her
mind.
Perhaps you think, Harry she
said, with glance of ine9able scorn,
that [ look the sort of a person who
is likely to be subjected to personal
search?"
II don't know what possessed me,
but there flashed upon me all in
moment the idea of giving her les
son. [ determined that she should
have such a fright as would effectu-
ally destroy for her any romance
which still fingered around the SNUG
Cling business, and at the same time
enable me 10 pose as the sagacious
husband, who by proper exercise of
his authority had prevented her from
being placed in a very serious posi-
ton.
1.-THE idea would have flown as
quickly as it came, had not my wife
insisted in abiding to the subject
again and again, and had she not dis
played most independent spirit when
at last we stood upon the pier, declin..
ing my proffered arm with toss Of
her head, finally marching off by her
self to a little distance, after giving
me my instructions as TO having the
baggage packed again after being
opened.
"Just at that moment an official of
some authority apparently passed
close to me. touched him on the
arm.
"'Do you see that lady in the seal
skin sacque and black satin bonnet
over there? I said. I don't want to
be mixed up in the matter myself, but
think it would be worth your while
to look after her"
THE man stared at nae for mo-
ment, then thanking me he disappear
ed in the direction of the main build
ing.
81 thought be had either ignored or
forgotten about nay trust, and, indeed,
was rather congratulating myself
that he had done SO, for [ had already
repented of my intentions of fright~
ening my wife, when I saw an official
step up to her, and politely touching>
ing his cap say a few words in a low
tone. @- She looked surprised. and
glanced ia nay direction, but apparent
ly not seeing me in the crowd, she
followed the man into the Custom
House.
New she was Ia for it. I felt very
sorry indeed for my wife. I had lard
Iy realized before what very un-
pleasant operation it must be to be
searched. 1t was really cruel thing
of me to have subjected her to such
an ordeal, even if she had been little
obstinate and annoying, and it was
would certainly never forgive me if
she should by any chance discover
that I was the author of her misfor-
tune. On the whole, it hardly seemed
quite as amusing as | expected it
would be.
However, it was consoling to know
that she had nothing upon her, and
perhaps they would not trouble her
very much after all, while 1t certainly
would be rather a triumph for me.
would ask her with the utmost indif-
ference of manner where sue had been
and what had kept her SO long. Then
if she were unhappy and distressed
would condole with her unmerited
disaster, and insinuate how unfortun-
ate it was that had prevented the
possibility of her having anything
contraband upon her; what should we
have done if she had, etc. If, on the
contrary, she was disposed to brazen
it out, I should have no scruples in
exercising my undoubted right to
calculate. I told you SO, with such
additional self : congratulations as
might suggest themselves, that had
not been fool enough to let her have
her own way.
''She was so long in returning that
I began to be little alarmed. Several