The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-10-07
So LONDONDERRY, VT. THURSDAY, OCTOBER T. 1886.
Tho officer looked up, smiled and
shook his Jared finger, and I said:

Tho officer looked up, smiled and
shook his Jared finger, and said:
'Lct me try the unlocking"
I followed the directions as we'll as I
could and nearly broke my fingers, but
tho key wouldn't turn. ! am afraid the
magic words said were not the "open
sesame" that was required.
81 am very sorry, ladies'" said the
officer, "but I shall have to break the
lock-"
The ladies were very sorry too, but
they made no objection and the officer
departed and returned with hatchet,
This he placed under the obnoxious
catch and tried to pry it open. But the
lock was built very strongly and it
wouldn't give way. Tho hatchct slip
ped and the officer cut his finger.
"Can't you stretch the law little"
said l, "and let that trunk pass. The
ladies are not going to stay in England,
but are going directly to France. am
sure you would find nothing dutiable in
the trunk or they would have made
some objection to your breaking the
lock-"
1t was now after 12 o'clock. Most of
the people had claimed their baggage,
had it examined and departed for their
hotels.
"Well," said the officer, ~ ought not
to it, you know, but I will chance it, }"
and with that he put on the requisite
mark that would enable it to pass out.
The owner was very grateful indeed, and
while he was stamping the trunk she
said to me:
81 would like very much to give him
something. How much do you think 1
should offer him?"
"Well," replied, "as general thing
in England it's safe enough to give tip
where a service is done, but the penalty
here seems to be very high. I don't
think I would risk it. Yet I don't sup
pose he would object to a shil-
ling if it could be given him so that no
one could see it."
II will give him half crown" she
said, 'if he will take it."
CAN right" cautioned, 'but don't
do it very publicly"
The lady approached and said in her
kindest voice
81 am very sorry you have hurt your
finger"
"Oh," said the officer, "it don't mat
ter in the least, assure you !; a mere
scratch"
"Well, am very much obliged, in.
decd," she whispered, 81 hope you will
let me give you this, not as a compensa-
ton, you know"
"a MISS" he returned, smiling and
bowling very low to her, 'glad to have
been of any service to you, but really,
we are not allowed to take anything
it is against the rules" and he waved
his hands up and down as he said this.
"But," persisted the lady, cit is only
a very little, and don't at all come under
the head of a bribe."
II assure you, miss" he said, "yor
are not indebted to me for anything, and
as said before, am only too happy tt
have been of any service. You see
MISS" he said, as we walked away aftel
the porter who had shouldercd the trunk
"officers of the customs are never allowed
to take anything, no matter how small
under any circumstances whatever.
And with that he again bowed very lov
to us, and walked with the ladies ou
to their carriage.
"Well," said I, "it is refreshing t.
see customs officer that will not take
bribe!
| The young lady laughed merrily.
II am glad to hear you say So" sh
r said, "for know new we did it yer
| cleverly."
"Why, you don't mean to say that yo
e gaze him the money!"
: She held up her hands. They wer
r empty.
: 81 slipped half a crown into his han
r the first time spoke to him, and he COZ
s cealcd it with deftness that convince
: me he had done the like before"
: "Then you urged him to take it aft
e he had it in his hand, and he refused
d with such Chestcrfeldian air while
9 was really in possession of it!'
Exactly" she said. wasn't it nea
Q ly done on both sidesW
# s'Neatly done1 Well, / should say s.
lr But what pair of hypocrites both
: you are "-Detroit Free Press.