New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-04
AN INNOCENT SMUGGLER.
DIAMONDS BROUGHT IN BY AN UNSUS-
PECTING PASSENGER

They were talking about the 10000 diamond
smuggling case, and many curious. bold and
HUMOROUS cases of a similar nature
called. One man who does odd jobs at detec-
tive work in the large department stores in the
fall and winter seasons. and has similar work
In one of the Saratoga hotels IN the summer
was interested listener until all had told their
stories. and then, taking the half-smoked cigar
from his mouth said:
u know Of a big case in which the man who
got the stuff past the customs officers was
ignorant of the crime and never made cent
by the operation.
cit is well known that nearly all the big
custom house seizures are the result Of tips
given by enemies of the smugglers. Letters with
either signature or with manufactured names
are sent to the customs authorities with the
Information that John Smith or Mary Jones,
passenger on a certain vessel should be watched
fnr diamonds dress goods. aces or some other
valuable article which Smith or Jones will try
10 get through without paying duty. Several
Years ago a letter of that kind wa; received. and
On the arrival of the steamer the man was
seen and his baggage was carefully searched.
BE had declared a few Swiss watches and some
ether articles of jewery, but denied having
anything else. and the closest search failed TO
reveal anything further.
"A few weeks later heard the sequel to the
story and that's the point l met man
whom have known for years who told me
That he came over on the ship with a
diamond smuggler, and that he had helped do
the job and the fact worried him.
awe had taken the pilot aboard the man
taid, and everybody was making preparations
Tor landing. l had only small trunk in my
cabin which was soon packed, and / went on
deck to get a glimpse Of the papers brought on
by the pilot One of our passengers an elderly
German, whom 1 had met often In the course
Of the trip, and who was known on board 10Y
his fondness for pinochle and his queer Eng
I!sh, sided up to me- and we remained together
most Of the time until we went ashore. Just as
We were going he handed me couple or canes
and an old umbrella and asked me 10 carry
them ashore because he had 'zu much baggage
"'Our baggage was examined, and "heh we
reached the place beyond the Custom House line
happened to think that had left the canes
and umbrella behind. ran back ana iouno
them on the floor In a baggage heap. the UNI
breIla q little more battered looking than 1t mao
keen AS we parted my German friend HANDED
rne one OF the canes and said: Bring DOT 10 my
hotel und show you something. and he gave
me the name Of hotel in Fourth-a'e' hucn
fteouented by Germans. a few days later
called there and saw the man. lie was III mgr
snIrits glad TO see me and 10 renew our lriehu-
sbip lie told me that he would leave to"n 'ne
uext day. but would look me up wheh nc oai"e
again. had already said goodby when my no''
happened TO remember that he wanted 10 on"
me something" and he went to corner oi Liz
L,r, and brought out the battered umbrella
- he unscrewed the little ivory handle eno
nowed me that the rod was tube. Then ne
took from an inner pocket leather Wallet
SnAned II and took out . number Of tissue-papAs