The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-12-02
VI EBENSBURG. a.. FRIDAY. DECEMBER

ing off toward Staten Island, were the
members of this strange family. But
what changel 1 thought of Cinderella
and her magical transformation.
The day was one of the hottest of
September. yet the old lady was
wrapped in elegant sealskin gar
ment that reached nearly to her feet
Under this l saw the folds of hand
some black satin dress. A rich bonnet
on her head and light kid gloves com
pleted her costume.
The old man looked as if he had just
come from the hands of one of the most
fashionable London tailors. lie was
dressed in a complete new suit of
clothes, costly overcoat and silk
| hat.
But the greatest change in appear
| ance was in the four daughters Hith-
erto they had been long slim girls;
| now they were quite round and plump.
| Their dresses were plain but rich; and
handsome hats shaded their faces.
which were, however, thin ana, if any
! thing, still paler than before,
| As soon as the ship WAS i'll her berth
| and evcryth ng made secure. came
down from the bridge, and, standing
| near the gangway, watched the bag
|
| So happened that it was piled up not
| far from the foot of the gangway, so
| that | had IA good opportunity to see
! the result of the examination
| The mysterious family had already
gone. ashore with the other passengers,
and now stood near collection of
! trunks, bags and bundles of rugs.
| waiting for an officer to examine their
| luggage.
| | was well acquainted with the senior
| inspector, who was stationed but few
| steps from the gangway. Occasionally
he looked up and smiled as the men
| came To him and reported the result of
| their work.
| A few minutes later an official ap-
| preached the strange family and asked
| for the KEYS of their trunks, which the
| old man had not produced. lie thrust
| his hand into his pocket and drew out
| his keys The officer took them, fitted
| them To the trunks, threw open the lid
of one after another, lifted the con-
tents, ran his hand through them; in
| short, made the usual examination
In the meantime the attention of the
senior officer had been drawn in that
direction. lie turned and faced the
| group. carefully scrutinizing its MEM
! bers while the examination was in prog
reSS.
When all had been opened, the lids
were closed and marked 10y the inspec-
| tor, who then reported that nothing
contra band or dutia bile had been found.
| smiled a. l heard the report AT that
/ moment the eyes of the senior officer
| met mine. / noticed peculiar ex-
preston on his face
Advancing toward the party, the in
spector told the old man To go To the
Office occupied 10y the custom-house Off
! ciaIs. My curiosity was excited. l
left the ship, went down the gangway,
and stood ii few steps distant, watching
the proceedings.
The old mans countenance turned
or eenish=white AS he looked in the di-
rection indicated. The old lady tren-
bled and seemed scarcely able To stand;
| while the four girls were white and
terror stricken. They followed tie
SUPERINTENDENT into the office, and the
| door closed behind the whole party.
The old man was requested to step
| into one of the examining rooms, while
| the. mother and daughters We're taken
! in charge by a female searcher and
| conducted into another.
4
| bling woman and her daughters re-
! turned TO the main office. The female
~earcher followed, and, going up To the
! table in the center of the room, placed
small valise upon it in front of the
| appraiser.
At almost the same moment the old
! man appeared accompanied by an Off
GER The officer placed on the table a
! small package incloSed in brown paper.
] The office was now filed with people,
| MANY of whom were passengers from
| the ship They had perceived that the
I queer family were suspected, and had
| rcrnuincd behind To see the fun" The
| appraiser rose from his chair, went up
| TO the table and opened the valise.
| Every eve was upon him as he drew
| forth its glittering contents and spread
| them out before il.
| Swiss, French and English watches,
| chains, both long and short, bracelets,
rings and jewclry of every description
| Law sparkling in the sunlight The
| brown paper package, upon being
| opened, disclosed about six thousand
| dollars worth of unset diamonds
| These were found concealed in the
| clothing of the old man.
| The total value of the goods was es-
! timated to he nearly eleven thousand
J dollars
a loud laugh rang through the room
ut the expression of dismay on the old
mans face There was little sympathy
! for him, but the position of the poor
old lady and her daughters was indeed
| pitiable.
| In the excitement of the moment i
did not think of remarking the appear
ance of the girls until an exclamation
| from one of the passengers drew my
| attention to them. They were no
longer round and plump. as just before
| leaving the ship, but had resumed their
former lunlI appearance.
| / ascertaincd later that the greater
| part of the jewelry had been concealed
in the clothing of the daughters, as
the father had stupidity imagined that,
owing To their youth, they would not
| be suspected
On my return voyage learned that
the old man had been compelled to pay
| double duty on his goods. Whether or
, not he ever made second attempt at
smuggling | cannot say 1t was the
| last time that he ever crossed the At
| lantic on board any ship under my
command Capt. Charles w. Kennedy,
| i'll Youths Companion
PROVERBS ABOUT WOMEN.
THE brilliant daughter makes brit
| tie wife.