Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-10-06

"Let me try the unlocking"
followed the directions as we'll as I
cou,d and nearly broke my fingers, but
the key wou dn't turn. am afraid the
magic words said were not tho ''open
sesame" that was required.
81 am very sorry, ladies'" said tho
officer, "but shall have to break the
lock-"
The ladies were very sorry too, but
they made no objection and tho officer
departed and returned with hatchet,
This hc placed under tho obnoxious
catch and tried to pry it open. But the
lock was built very strongly and it
wouldn't give way. The hatchct slip
ped and the ofliecr cut his finger.
Cant you stretch the law q little,"
said l, "anl let that trunk pass. The
ladies arc not gong to stay in England,
but are going direct y to France. am
sure you would find IL thing dutiablc 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.
"Wel,' said the officer, 81 ought not
to dol it, you know, but l 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:
II would like very much to give him
something. II W much do you think
should offer him2'
"Wcll," replied, "as general thing
in England it's safe enough to give tip
where service is done, but the penalty
here seems to be very high. l don't
think l woull risk it. Yet don't sup
pose lie would object to shil-
ling if it could be given him so that no
one could sec It,"
81 will give him half CROWN" she
said, "if he will take it."
"All right" cautioned, "but don't
do it very publicly"
The lady approached and said in her
kindest voice
81 am very sorry you havo hurt your
finger"
"Ol," said the officer, "it don't mat.
ter in the least, / assure you ; mere
scratch"
"Wcll, am very much obliged, in.
Decd" she whispered, 81 hope you will
let me give you this, not as compcnsa-
ton, you know"
"A ! miss" he returned, smiling and
bowing very low to her, "gad to have
been of any service to you, but really,
we arc not allowed to take anything;
it is against the rules" and he waved
his hands up and down as he said this.
"Bnt," persisted the lady, sit is only
n very little, and don't at all conc under
the head of bribr."
u assure you, miss" he said, "you
are not indebted to me for anything, and
as said before, l am only too happy to
have been OF any service. You see,
miss" he said, as we walked away after
the porter who had shoullcrcl the trunk,
"tffiCcrs Of the customs are never allowed
to take anything, no matter how small,
under any circumstance, whatever"
And with that he again bowel very low
to us, and | walked with the ladies out
to their carriage.
"Wcll," said ], ''it is refreshing to
sec a customs officer that will not take
b.ibcw
The young lady laughed mcrriy.
81 am glad to hear you say so,' she
said, "Gor l know now we did it very
clevery."
"Why, you don't mean to say that you
gaze him the money!
She held up her hands. They were
empty.
~ slipped half a crown into his hand
the frs, time lspokc to him, and he con
cealcd it with dcltncss that convinced
me he had done tho like before"
"Thcn you urged him to take it after
he had it in his hand, and he refu cd it
with such CLcstcriic dian air while he
was really in possession of itl'
Exactly" she said. WASN'T it neat.
ly done on both sidcsw
"Nca,ly donc1 Well. should say So
But what a pair of hypocrites both Of
you are r-DetrOH Free Press.
An EX ri Tea.