The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-04-11
THE LITTLE
LACE SMUGGLER
[Original !

was ADVISED by bhsliieSS dt'lutlHl-
ance 10 put several hundred dollars
which she had saved beyond her pas
sage money into the beautiful lace
made in her city and carry it with her
to New York. II she could get 1t
through the custom house free OF duty,
she would add considerably to her lit.
tie capital She was Informed that
nothing one wears Is dutiHblc There
fore after purchasing some white and
black lace she set about decorating her
clothing with It In such fashion that it
would not likely be noticed by the Gus
tom house officials With the black lace
she trimmed her mantle. putting on, Of
course II prufusion, while the white
was made into fouuccs on her dress he
Meath
Gretchen crossed the Occnu in the
sweet summer time, when II was de
lightful tn sit on deck and watch the
green waves, the guIls and the blue
heavens far ashore by day and tn" star
ry dome by night. Besides. the moon
was AT the fun and, beginning with the
twilight rose later every evening
Gretchen was alone, but young man,
an invalid. on the first day ont sat in
his steamer chair near her and foxmed
her acquaintance Though the weather
was warm. he was invariably wrapped
In AN ulster He told Gretchen that he
lad dropsy
Gretchen lonely herself understood
more perfectly the feelings Of this
young man who was not only unat
tended but ~ She therefore devoted
herself TO him Every morning al 10
O'Clock when the weather was fine and
IL was fine throughout the voyage she
would place the young mans chair for
him In sheltered nook, cover him
with rugs talk To him read 10 him and
in every way in hor power contribute
TO his comfort The invalid seemed pro
fouudly grateful for these attentions.
When kh. put n pillow under his head
he would look into her eyes what was
more than gratitude. He regretted that
be could make no return FOR her Htt"r
tiou except help TO improve her Eng
but natural that with the Language Of
love passing between, FOR Gretchen
was becoming attached Ia her charge
they should pet ou rapidly with mrr"
commonplace expressions. Ia" young
man had had a guud rduslicn m ~"
public schools and seemed quite nmbD
tiOus to succeed In life This made
Grctrben's heart bleed for him She
would wrap his ulster more closely
about him aud he would look MP with
that grateful, lauguid smile SO touch
ing IN Ill invalid
when they approached New York
Gretchen began to ho worried about
her lace She crnyed sympathy aud
contidsd her secret 10 her friend. He
reassurcd her by telling her thnt II she
would go ashore with him lac would
look out for some OF the officials whom
hc knew aud each try 10 distract their
attention from her or If lh"S noticed
her superhuous fnery, persuade th,m
to let her go snmolestcd. She gladly
accepted his offer aud when the ship
was locked supported him. stll wrap
ped In his ulster, down the gungplnnk
Wait here moment" he said and
/ Will see If ! can mud friend among
these customs officers.
The invalid approached nm inspector
and aaid to him
What Is there in ii for me II put
you on TO woman who is smuggling
lace
The officer arranged that he should
receive the value of such Information.
and the two approached Gretchen
There she is" said the invalid and
the officer forthwith turned poor Grrt
chen over to IA woman who searched
her thoroughly and couilscated every
yard OF her precious lace. This was
nothing 10 Gretchen compared with the
shock the mans treachery caused her
She left the dock weeping. But II was
not for her little savings 1t was for
the image she had set ny In her heart
which had been SO roughly broken
The next day Gretchen received u
card at her boarding house with the
name upon II OF Charles Turner Whit
man" She had never heard OF such a
person and thought there must be some
mistake However, she went down
into the parIor, aud who should be
there but the invalid, but nh invalid no
longer His chalky complexion had
become ruddy. his step was quick aud
strong, his whole appearance CHEEKY
As soon as Gretchen saw him she turn
a ht ha ~
her and brought her back
Wait, little sweetheart. TIL explain.
When We went ashore yesterday had
on me SUM fortune In lace. My legs.
body and aibns were wrapped With It,
II ! succeeded in getting It IN without
confiscatiou IL would be the last OF
seyers such efforts and complete the
amount determined 10 make before
disseminating practice which ! cor
daily detest. No surer Way " passInG
the officials unsupported could le de
yised than directing their attention 70
some one else. Your few yards We're
nothing to the hundreds | had OH me.
You were Kind 10 me on the trip and
you have been the means OF my com.
pleting NY work undiscovered share
my snug fortune with me Re my wife.
and together we viii enter upon "a
smuggling
Ii was some time before Gretchen
could recover from the shock She had
received Then she smilingly agreed 70
take the matter into con siderH ION. EN-