Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-30
CONTRABAND.

Some five years ago the government
established q night watch in connection
with the customs. The merchants of Bos
ton thought it unnecessary, and often
times, until the plan had become system
atized more thoroughly, small seizures
were made in the shape OF a single drum
of figs, u box OF raisins, n key of molasSe.
or otherwise brought home perhaps by
some poor sailor who would take the op
%portunity after dark to remove hiJ littlt
importation from his vessel without think
ing of the duty required by Uncle San
upon such matters, a fact which annoyed
importers and others.
1t was getting toward IL O'Clock one
night, and the attentive night inspecto,
trudged along his lonely beat, while nc
sound save the r~attling of the rain upon
the cold pavement disturbed the scene, and
the official was indulging himself with Il
! quiet, leisurely stroll down the dock. On
u sudden footsteps were heard in a dis
lance, and the ears of the watchful guard
were as quickly erect as q greyhound's, for
he felt suro there was official business
ahead for him. A moment afterward there
came In sight the form of q man, attired
in u soft sailors garb, and in his hand he
bore a huge package, a square package, q
very suspicious looking package, envel-
oped In u red cotton bandanna.
To order the pedestrian to halt was the
work Of but an instant, for tho attentive
watch understood his position" But the
figure took no notice OF the command.
Hello, ! say" continued the officer.
Hello, yourself" was the response.
tWhppn y vpyy Iainp with that HIM
dle!'
sure, I'm goin home wit 1t.
"Home-Where!'
Where I'm ordered, sure, said the
lrlshnan coolly, and he turned again to
go up the wharf.
But u night inspector was not to be
folled in this way, and, advancing toward
the intruder, he placed his Official clutch
upon the wrapper OF the package. There
were five boxes there--fye boxes of cigarsl
Here was richness, to be sure, thought the
officer, and in spite of the efforts Of the
smuggler, who stoutly commended that the
boxes had been given him "by a jintle-
man, who had paid him a quarter to de-
liver them at his dwelling, the Waterman
got possession OF the valuable package and
forthwith proceeded as fast as his burden
would parmit to headquarters, where he
deposited his lard earned prize.
All, there is u sort OF consolation, a feel
IN ones reflections when one has done his
duty, his whole duty, and such were the
pleasing sensations which animated the
breast OF the faithful government night
guard as he placed MS SEIZURE upon the
hoor OF the watchhouse and wiped tine
persplratlon from MS brow, Tor he mad dis
covered Ill his walk OF half a mile that his
package was rather heavy. The freshman
olloWed nm TO the door OF the lookup,
and there, with a chuckling sort OF curse
FOR his pains, he left him.
The watchful night inspector tarrled an
hour for the arrival OF his superior officer,
to whom he was required to report him
sell III cases OF TINS kind, and IN the mean
time, his beat having been left to itself,
numerous small articles mot upon the
manifest a found their way u OF an
other vessel hard by and were transported
Int Broad street without hlndrance. But
the captain OF the watch arrived ut last.
I've done it tonight" said the In
spector.
"Contraband, ~contraband, captain. u
gars, sir, 5000 of EN-, and Il lug it was to
get en- here TO be sure.
The captain attempted to raise the
package.
Rather heavy, Jake.
"Yes, 50 thought. Green, you see,
sir-green tobacco Is always heavy, and
the Watchinhn proceeded TO examine the
parcel rs the captain vollchsafcd some
thing IN an undertone which sounded very
much like " Yes, very green"
The top of the upper box was removed,
and tho captain smiled a CHASTITY smile rs
he looked quietly on. The subordinate
said nothing, though he kept up a terrible
thinking, but removed the cover of the
second box, and then he examined the
third.
"There, y said the captain, as h. could