The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-04-29
SEARCHING A SNUGGLER'S
 COT FACE

hcers were prone to let him alone. One day new man, Jim Apherson, was ap pointed to the district where Trimhorn lived. Apherson was one of those men who are always in state of unrest and consequently liable to overreacb themselves. He could see no reason why Trimhorn should be let alone while others were hunted down. Be sides. ,Apherson had ambitions to do something remarkable. just to show the other men at the custom house what an inefficient lot they were.
 Trimhorn. with his daughter. occu' pied cottage on the rocks overlooking the ocean. It was an unfrequented place. and no old customs man would think of tackling him there without as sistance. Apherson resolved to search the house. saying nothing about his feat till it had been accomplished. One evening be walked otf alone and knock cd at the cottage door of the rcdoubt' able smuggler. It was opened by e young girl. and Trimhorn was seen sit. ting by a table reading newspaper.
 "rve come to search your house." said Apherson.
 "Search it." replied Trimhorn. with out looking up from his paper.
 The customs man went down Into the cellar. then through the closets of the main floor, and all the while the snug gler sat alphabetically reading his news paper. never so much as deigning to look up at the officer. At last nothing remained but to search the space un- der the roof. Looking up, the customs man observed a square trapdoor.
 "I want to go up there," he said.
 "well. why don't you goT
 "No conveyance"
 That's easy enough to get Kath- leen, bring the ladder for the gentle man."
 Kathleen obeyed. the ladder was brought. and Apherson was putting his foot on the lower round when Trim horn stopped him
 "Til trouble you for the fare for the conveyance. You can search my house as an officer of the law. but I'm not bound to furnish you transportation"
 How muchT
 "A nickel"
 Apherson produced a nickel and handed 1t to Trimhorn. then proceeded to mount the ladder. After making Q careful examination and finding noth' ing be returned to the trap and was about to descend when Trimhorn call cd to him:
 "Throw down the fare"
 eve paid the fare"
 "For going up."
 "Oh, we'll, here's another nickel for going down." He tossed nickel down on the floor.
 "Stopw cried Trimhorn. 'T want the rest of the fare. The government reg ulates the nations duties. l regulate tolls In my own house."
 "well. how much more do you wantr'
 "Nine-nine dollars and ninety-hve cents. That. with the nickel paid. makes the fare to come down."
 "Tush, manl You're joking" And the customs man stepped down to the second round. Trlmhorn reached to the we'll beside him and from a rack took down a short. ugly looking gun
 Stay where you are!'
 DO you mean to interfere with m officer of the law in the performance of his dutyr'
 "No. You have been free to search my house. but you must pay my price for using my ladder" ,.H. ii
 And If l declineT
 "You can do as you like about that" And. resuming his chair and his pa per, with his gun in the hollow of his arm, Trlmhorn looked prepared to keep watch till the day of doom Apherson began to wonder how he would get out of the difficulty. Since he had not told of bis intention to make the search, if missed no one would look for him at Ben Trimhorn's. An hour went by, when he decided to propose terms.
 "Tn give you s10." he said.
 "All or nothing" replied his 1ailer.
 "I have only that with me-"
 "You can sign check on the bank"
 1t was not till noon the next day and Apherson had become faint from hun ger that he capitulated and signed tbc check. which Kathleen took to the bank for payment. When she returned with the money. her father permitted the searcher to descend.
 "Now. my man. said tho latter. "what's to prevent my proceeding against you for thisY'
 'Nothlng. and you'll get nothing If you do."
 "whyY
 "Your daughter"
 "was not present during the transac tion."
 Apherson. who was somewhat versed in the law. saw that bis case would be . doubtful one.
 However" said Trimhorn. "compro- mise Is good policy. and to save the stun from the lawyers I'll divide with you on your giving me q bond of in- demnity."