Arizona republican., 1893-01-13

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-eight hours later we had ar- rived at Sandy Hook, and were fast ap- preaching quarantine wien something called me from the bridge, and went on deck.
 There, standing by the railing, look | ing off toward Staten Island, were the members of this strange family But what change! thought of Cinderella and her magical transformation.
 The day was one of the hottest of September, yet the old lady was wrapped in an elegant sealskin gar ment that reached nearly to her feet. Under this saw the folds of a hand some black satin dress. 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. He was dressed in a complete new suit of clothes, a 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 and, if any thing, still paler than before, As soon as the ship was in her berth and everything made secure, l came down from the bridge, and, standing near the gangway, watched the bag gage as it was carried on the dock. It so happened that it was piled up not far from the foot of the gangway, so that had a 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 we'll 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. He 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. He turned and faced the group. carefully scrutinizing it's mem bers while the examination was in prog ress.
 When all had been opened, the lids were closed and marked by the inspec' tor, who then reported that nothing contraband or dutiable had been found. l smiled as heard the report At that moment the eyes of the senior officer met mine. l noticed a peculiar ex- pression on his face
 Advancing toward the party, the in- spector told the old man to go to the office occupied by the custom-house off cials. My curiosity was excited. l left the ship, went down the gangway, and stood few steps distant, watching the proceedings.
 The old mans countenance turned a gr eenish-white as he looked in the di- rection indicated. The old lady trem- bled and seemed scarcely able to stand; while the four girls were white and terror stricken. They followed the 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 were taken in charge by female searcher and conducted into another.
 After about half an hour the trem- bling woman and her daughters re- turned to the main office. The female , searcher followed, and, going up to the table in the center of the room, placed a small valise upon it in front of the appraiser.
 At almost the same moment the old man appeared, accompanied by an off cer. The officer placed on the table a small package inclosed in brown paper.
 The office was now filled with people, many of whom were passengers from the ship. They had perceived that the queer family were suspected, and had remained behind to see the fun" The appraiser rose from his chair, went mp to the table and opened the valise. Every eye was upon him as he drew