The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-09-05

- bldb BIG SI1OulI nave SuCh
a fright as would effectually destroy
for her any romance which still lin
gered around the smuggling business,
and at the same time would enable me
to pose as the sagacious husband, who
by proper exercise of his authority
had prevented her from being placed
in a very serious position.
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 displayed
q most independent spirit when at last
we stood upon the pier, declining my
proffered arm with toss of her head.
and finally marching off by herself to a
little distance, after giving me my in
structions as to having the baggage
properly packed again after being
opened.
"Just at that moment an official of
some authority apparently passed close
to me. l touched him on the arm.
DO you see that lady in the seal
skin sacque and black satin bonnet
over thereP' asked. I don't want to
be mixed up in the matter myself, but
l think it would be worth your while to
look after her.
1.-THE man stared at me for mo-
ment, then thanking me he disappeared
in the direction of the main building.
81 thought he had either ignored or
forgotten about my trust, and, indeed,
was rather congratulating myself that
he had done SO, for had already re-
pented of my intentions of frightening
my wife, when saw an official step up
to her and politely touching his cap say
q few words in low tone. She looked
surprised and glanced in my direction,
but apparently not seeing me in the
crowd, she followed the man into the
Custom-house.
Now she was in for it. felt very
sorry indeed for my wife. I had
hardly realized before what very I'M
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 OBJ
stinate and annoying, and it was
scarcely consoling to reflect that she
would certainly never forgive me if she
should by any chance discover that l
was the author of her misfortune. On
the whole, it hardly seemed quite as
amusing as I 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 it certainly
would be rather a triumph for me. ]
would ask her with the utmost indiffer-
ence of manner where she had been
and what had kept her so long. Then
if she were unhappy and distressed ]
would condole with her unmerited dis
aster, and insinuate how fortunate il
was that had prevented hepossibility
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, should
have no scruples in exercising my I'M
doubted right to calculate: 4 told
you so, with such additional sef-con-
CALCULATIONS as might suggest them
selves, that I had not been fool enough
to let her have her own way.
"She was so long in returning that
began to be little alarmed. Several
ideas occurred to me. Perhaps she
was ashamed to face me. Perhaps she
had been SO overcome by the indignity
to which she had been subjected that
she might have tainted.
Il became very persistent in my GU
riositv, and, forgetting my fear of COM
myself in the matter, / rushed
off toward the Custom-house in search
of her.
THE great hall of the building was
almost empty, most of the personages
having got through their examination
and departed whittier they were bound.
looked around in search of Mrs. Rob-
nson, and at that moment / caught
sight of the revenue officer to whom ]
lad first pointed her out.
HE came over to me with an express
sion of satisfaction on his face.
81 emit tell you how much obliged
We are to you, SIR he said. we
haven't had such a prize for some time.
Two hundred pounds worth of lace al
he very least calculation.
Whatp l exclaimed, while colo
seemed to start out O.
very pore. 'WhatP Do you mean thai
ady-'
"'Was an old hand, undoubtedly, sir.
Why, she brazened it out till the end.
Talked about writing to the Times, and
Ter husband being an American of po-
ition, and all the rest of it. But Lor'
less you, SIR we knows 'em. l Just
urned her over to one of our ladies.
nd she found the lace wrapped round
Ter body, just the same as a couple we
Labbed here fortnight ago.
"'And the LADY, found strength
t last to stammer
"'Oh, she's safe enough in the Jail
y this time. I reckon. The Magistrate
) sitting now, and my men just took
er right over, and no doubt she will
ave been committed at once"
The rest of Robinson's story was
title unintelligibfe, but l gathered
rom it that it took him a weeks hard |
York and all the influence he could |
ommand in London to rescue Mrs.
johnson from the consequences of her
oily and his stupid practical joke.
md I could easily understand, after
caring the tale, my friends anxiety to
ave as little to do with Customs off.
ials as might be; and still better could
appreciate Mr.. Robinson's ominouS
Hence whenever the subject was men.
Toned, while the way in which she
would purse up her lips on such occa.
ions made me think that If she Mad