Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-03-08
A LITTLE DIPLOMACY.
It Was Worth More Than Bluff to
a Revenue Collector.

law I'D IeBhTu 10 nduulacNuTtu bObdScO'
All reported irregularities were referred
TO me for investigation. l was tel
egraphed by the collector at Nashville,
upon one occasion, TO go to Shelbyvillo
Immediately and take action in case
where n manufacturer, j. ii. Ladd, had
been using cancelled revenue stamps.
When | arrived, found Capt Nor
vile, the district deputy, awaiting me
with n posse OF half dozen men.
Ladd lived twelve or thirteen miles from
Shelbyville, In the richest section Of
the county. explained to Norville
that there was no necessity of going
that night as Ladd could not remove
his property II he were disposed to do
so; that We would start before day in
order to make the trip, effect the seiz-
ure and return that night learned
the following from him: lie had come
up with two of Ladd's wagons n couple
of days before in an adjoining county
laden with plug tobacco put up in
boxes varying in weight from twenty
five to one hundred pounds each; that
the stamps on them had been reused;
that he had gone the next gay with IL
the factory; that when he arrived old
man Ladd was not at home and the fac
tory was locked lie had gone TO the
dwelling for the keys, when Mrs. Ladd
told servautto look for them. She, in
the meantime, stepped out into the
yard and rang the farm bell as vigor-
ously as II the building was on fire.
In a few moments three of Ladds sons
and hired man rushed TO the house as
fast as their horses could carry them
they had been plowing-Mrs. Ladd met
them at the gate, and, he supposed,
explained the situation. They came
into the house, large two-story frame
with l.. and in moment into the
room where he was sitting, waiti ng for
the girl TO find the keys, armed with
shotguns
Mrs Ladd then abused the officer for
everything she could think OF, and or
dcrcd him to leave and not to stand on
the order of going; that II he did not
she would have him and the deputy
killed and thrown into the hogpcn,
where they ought to be. The old man
did not stand well in the collectors
office, and when Norville returned and
reported the situation by telegraph
was ordered to the scene. ! told him
TO secure carriage that would accom-
modate three besides the driver, and an
hour before day we were en- route over
fine turnpike road. When we got in
front of the house ! saw two men go in
from one side, ard noticed several faces
ut the window, two of them females. l
ordered the driver TO go directly to the
factory almost In the rear of the dwell
ing and at a corner of the garden fence.
Leaving the patty in the hack re-
turned TO the house, entering by what |
afterwards ascertained to be the rear
door of the kitchen. An elderly white
woman and negro girl were in the
room, washing the dishes and clean
ing up after breakfast. asked
politely II this was Mrs. Ladd. She
jerked out yes" approached and ex-
tended my hand, assuring her was very
glad to see her and giving my name.
! was SO friendly, greeted her 30 cor
daily, that she was nonplussed for a
moment When ! asked II Mr.. Ladd
was in she answered yes in a more
pleasant tone, at the same time point
ing to n door leading to the main build
ing
Iopened II and walked in, and there
sat four men and q fourteen-year-old
boy, all except the old man having a
double-barrel shotgun lying across his
lap. ] approached the old man and
said
This is Mr. Ladd, presume2"
YES, that is my name"
gave him mine
"These are your sons, presumed"
"Some Of them"
Turning TO the one nearest me said
"Your name?'
james"
"Well, James, how do you dop I an
glad to see you. You favor your fa
ther Eye and forehead exactly"
inquired the name of every one
shook hands with each, complimented
each. Here ! stopped, when the old
man said:
/ stranger, since you have got &C
quainted with all the boys, there /;
two more you ought TO know One Il
my wife and the other my daughter
!
come in here" he called.
| explained that had met his wife
and most charming lady she was, but
Marinda came in and was formally
introduced TO her, and shook handi
with her again, and complimented hei
on her manly boys. Then the daugh
ter came in, who was indeed a modest
sweet girl of sixteen. | could read II
the face of every one of them; "Wha'
does all this mean?" After | haC
talked awhile about the weather anC
crops, asked Mr. Ladd to step into al
adjoining room with me, as wished u
talk 70 him privately.
"ohl no, not any, II you please. L
you have any business with me blur
1t out This family has no secrets"
Then told him that had heard that h,
Ind had some trouble with Capt, Nor
vile, that was very sorry to hear II
and had been sent down to investigate
the matter The old lady put an oar Il
the lock at this moment, and begge,
her TO allow me TO finish. She closed he
mouth with u snap and folded he
hands across her lap In a gentle spiri
OF resignation. impressed upon Lad,
that he was dealing with the Unite,
States government, that he had an in
teresting family and. farm wort
thirty thousand dollars; that he coul,
not afford TO resist the government
had only brought Capt Norville an,
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