New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1894-05-09
THAT STOUT MAN.

THAT STOUT MAN.
In the city of Brussels great deal of
very pretty lace is exposed for sale.
English women admire this lace and
buy it If they go straight from Bel
GUM to England, they can take it home
without having to pay any duty, but if
they pass through France they have to
pay on all their new Brussels lace at
the French custom house And many
English women pass through France on
their way from Belgium to England,
because they prefer the short passage
from Calais to Dover to the, longer one
from Ostend
The Misses Wylie were charming,
middle aged ladies, fond of trayel,
fond of dress, fond of lace and very bad
sailors. They had been excursioning in
Germany, had come down the Rhine
and had spent week in Brussels. More
attractive than the field of Waterloo
and more fascinating than the Musee
Wiertz was the Galerie St. Hubert
Miss Melissa Wylie could not resist the
white Brussels lace; Miss Annora Wy
lie could not resist the black Each of
the ladies bought; led on by the tempter,
in the shape Of seductive shop WON
an, the Misses Wylie bought lace fchus,
lace collarettes, lace by the meter: Day
by day they added to their stock.
At length it was necessary to make
for England and to pass through that
dreadful France with its protective du-
ties Then they realized their position.
How about the lace?
1--WE cannot conscientiously say"
remarked Miss Melissa, that we have
rien declarer (nothing to declare)
because this lace is dutiable''
"And we dare not risk packing it, -
returned Miss Annora, because they
might take it into their heads to exam
inc our boxes. -
''How can we get it through?'' mused
the elder sister:
1--WE must get it through!'' declared
the younger sister.
Presently Annora exclaimed: II have
it! We will wear it! No duty is paid
| on what one is wearing
eyes, yes" said Melissa, "but how
can we wear it? The white will get
soiled and the black torn in travelling.
Besides, if it looks unnatural, as it
would on our dresses and mantles, the
officials will be sure to notice it.
1T would not look unnatural on our
bonnets, said Annora-
They set to work to decorate their
bonnets with the lace. They mingled
white and black, fchu and 1ounce, in
the most s]illful manner, and though
the bonnets looked somewhat overdone,
yet they carried the lace, and it was
probable that the male eyes of the GUS
tom house officials would not notice
anything abnormal
The Misses Wylie rejoiced in their
clevernesa They sat in the train on
their way to France with clear con-
sciences and light hearts They had rien
declarer- nothing dutiable. In the
compartment with them was only one
other passenger, a stout man Of good
humored aspect, evidently, from his ex-
treme fabby stoutness and his extreme
good humor, middle class German.
Now, Germans who understand English
are very sociable with their English fell
low travellers. As this German did not
address the Misses Wylie, they felt sure
that he did not understand English, and
they talked freely to each other.
II suppose" said Melissa, "that my
bonnet looks all right? It does not strike
the eyes as being toe much trimmed,
eh, Annora?' -: t.. ill.,.
'tWell," said Annora, laughing, lit
is too much trimmed for good taste, but
then on this occasion you have bad taste.
What about mine?'' .,f,.,:.
''Oh, quite artistic a study in black
and white, as the artists say =, =. i, :
The ladies laughed together, full Of
glee at their coming triumph over the
custom house officers The German wore
the fatuous grin affected by people who
listen to language which they do not
understand
At last the train slowed into Blandain
station, the frontier. Out jumped the
Misses Wylie with their hand baggage.
They calmly awaited the approach of
the officers Out numbered the German
with his fatuous smile He sauntered
up to one of the chief Of the douane
''Rien declarer,'' said both ladies'
Eau de cologne, dentelles, tabac,
spiritueux COLOGNE water, lace, to-
bacco, spirits, the officer ran off.
Rien, rien," said the Misses Wylie.
The man said nothing more, and the
ladies, expecting the cry Of, EFT vol
ture, sill vous plaitr' felt extremely
happy.
But at that moment the official to
whom tho German had been speaking