The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-12-02
QUEER PASSENGERS.
A Sea Captains Story of a Fam
lily of Smugglera

Many passengers returning from
England or the continent To the United
states appear To imagine that they
have done a brilliant thing when they
succeed in smuggling dutiabIe goods
through the custumhouse. If they
escape detection, they congratulate
themselves on their cleverness in out
WHITING the government officials; but
when they are not successful, and are
exposed, the case assumes Il different
aspect
The position of the smuggling trav-
cler i indeed one OF the most awkward
Imaginable.
| have been witness of many anus
Ing scenes that have occurred on the
White star Ships and at their landing
place. One of these left lasting inn
precision ON my memory, owing, per
hups, to the extraordinary conduct of
all the members of an entire family
turing the voyage from Liverpool to
New York.
In the early part of September, 1877.
| stood at the Edngvay on the main
deck OF the Baltic. of which was then
IN command, at Liverpool, watching
the passengers come ON board from the
tender. The ship was anchored in the
river, about thrcc-quarters of mile
from the landing stage.
Among the last To leave the tender
was IA family which consisted of father,
mother and four daughters The
father was an old man-short, stout
and thick set. IIIs wife was round,
plump, very red in the face, and painted
with the exertion she was making.
The daughters, on the contrary, We're
long, lanI, and thin, both in face and
figure.
The whole appearance of the group
was so poor, and their dress 50 shabby
and worn, that as they went aft among
the saloon passengers IT seemed as n Il
mistake had been made, and that their
proper place was in the stceragr. Many
of the immigrants were clad far more
neatly.
On the passage, two or three days
iater, happening tn go aft one morning,
| again remarked this curious family.
They were sitting entirely apart from
the other passengers, on the long
wooden seat that ran along the side of
the railing. Steamer chairs were n
luxury in which, evidently. they had
not indulged-
The father, mother and four daugh-
ters-tne daughters resembling a flight
of steps of even gradatiOns-sat
solemuly side by side, without uttering
a word, and appearing as If they were
assembled at funeral.
The ship was full of passengers, who
were mostly Americans, returning
from their summer outing. They had
not much to occupy their attention,
and soon all vho were well enough to
enjoy any little novelty or excitement
were attracted toward this strange and
very eccentric family group.
They responded SO briefly and coldly
TO kind inquiries made of them by sew
cral of the ladies that even the most
inquiSitive were obliged to give up try
ing to solve the problem which they
seemed to suggest They were soon
eft entirely to themselves
Not one member of the family was
ever seen alone, either on deck or in
the saloon. If one of the party rose up
to walk all formed in solemn process
sion. Silently and sadly they prom
enadcd up and down the deck, until, at
"A signal from the father or mother. all
stopped and resumed their seats
One of the ladies who sat at my table
asked me what | thought of these peo-
pie. | had had no time up to that mo-
mcnt to think about them at all, and
told her so; but / added that, if the
weather continued fine, / should east
an eve on them occasionally, and tell
her what conclusion / arrived at
The weather proved favorable, and
began to be somewhat Interested in the
family Certainly their movements
were very peculiar. Whether they
were caused by timidity, eccentricity
or desire to be let severely alone, /
could not quite decide
As the end of the passage approached,
unmistallable signs of anxiety and
nervousness were visible in the faces
of all the members of the family. One
afternoon Just before dinner, near the
wheelhouse, the old man suddenly be-
gan n conversation with gentleman
who stood near. l happened to over
hear the talk.
The weather was the first topic; but
soon the subject drifted To that nearest
the old mans heart. He began to make
inquiries about the custom house in
spcction.
Are the officers very rigid in their
examination?" he asked. He was told
that they were.
What amount is allowed duty free?"
he inquired, and his question was an
swered courteously.
Forty-cight hours later we had ar
rived at Sandy Hook, and were fast APP
preaching quarantine when something
called me from the bridge, and l went
on deck.