The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1893-08-26
UEER PASSENG Frs.

1Hye done brilliant thing wher
stcy succeed III smuggling dutiable
goods through the custom house. II
they escape detection. they congratu.
late themselves on their clcverness
ID outwitting the government
officials; but when they are not sue
oesstul and are exposed, the case as.
sumes a different aspect.
The position OF the smuggling
traveller is indeed one OF the most
awkward imaginable.
have been a witness Of many
amusing scenes that have occurred
On the White star ships and at their
landing place. One OF these left n
lasting impression on my memory,
owing, perhaps, TO the extraordinary
conduct Of all the members OF an en-
hire family during the voyage from
liverpool to New York.
In the early part of September.
lS7-, stood at the gangway 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
thr1e-qnarters Of mile from the
landing stage. ...
Among the last to leave the ten.
der was Il family which consisted Of
father. mother and four daughters.
The father WAS an old man--short,
stout and thick set. His wife was
round, plump, very red in the face,
and painted with the exertion she
was making.
The daughters, on the contrary,
were long, lank, and thin, both in
face and figure.
The whole appearance OF the group
was so poor, aud their dress so
lhabby and worn, that as they went
aft among the saloon passengers il
seemed as If Il mistake had been
zradc, and that their proper place
Tas in the stceragc. Many of the
immigrants were clad far more
neatly.
On the passage, two or three days
later, happening to go aft one
morning. again remarked this GU
-ious family. They were sitting en-
2irely apart from the other passcn-
gers, on the long wooden seat that
ran along the side of the, railing.
Steamer chairs were luxury in
which, evidently. they had not in-
dulgcd.
The father, mother and four
daughtcrs-thc daughters resembling
flight OF steps OF even gradations--
sat solcmnly side by side, without
uttering II word. and appearing as II
they were assembled at n funeral.
The ship was full OF passengers,
who were mostly Americans, return
ing from their summer outing. They
had not much to occupy their atten-
tion, and soon all who were we'll
enough to enjoy any little novelty or
excitement were attracted toward
" group
They responded so briefly and
eoldly to kind inquiries made of them
by several of the ladies that even the
most inquisitive were obliged to give
up trying to solve the problem which
soon left entirely to themselves.
Not one member Of tho family was
sver seen alone II one of the party
rose up to walk, all formed in solemn
procession. Silently and sadly they
promenadcd 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 people. ] had had no time up
TO that moment to think about them
at all, and told her so; but | added
that, il the weather continued fine,
sheguld cast an eye on them occasion
ally. and tell her what conclusion
arrived at
The weather proved favorable. and
7 began to be somewhat interested in
the family. Certainly their move
nents we're very peculiar. Whether
they were caused by timidity, eccen-
tricity or a desire to be let severely
alone, could not quite decide.
AS the end OF the passage APP
VTOdCntu, hS vi dHN-
iety and nervousness were visible
in the faces of all the members of
the family. One afternoon just be-
fore dinner, near the wheelhouse. the
old man suddenly began a conversa-
tion with n gentleman who stood
near happened to ovcrhear the
talk.
The weather was the first topic;
but soon the subject driftcd to that
nearest the old mans heart He be-
gan to make inquiries about the Gus
tom-house inspection.
..Are the officers very rigid In their
examination" he asked. He was
told that they were.
.What amount is allowed duty
freeP" he inquired, and his question
was answered courteously.
Forty-eight hours later we had
arrived at Sandy Hook, and were fast
approaching quarantine when some
thing called me from the bridge. and
went on deck.
There. standing by the railing,