The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-22

n the May Century a writer tells of
the trials Of customs house Off
GERS with returning travellers, and,
Of course, he accuses women of being
the worst offenders, although admitting
that a man with his vest lined with
gold watches is no uncommon find.
One woman will remark to another as
they are about to land: do you see
anything queer about me?" NO" said
her friend, "why?" "Oh, nothing only
I have a silver tea set hanging under
my skirts"
The writer remarks that no one must
suppose that cheating the customs is
confined to a low class, or even to
those whose pOcketbOoks will feel the
strain Of extra duties, but the common
est offenders are the rich, and they in
clude all classes, from the ordinary
sharper to the most refined woman,
Who would be greatly amazed if any
one accused her of dishonesty. De-
frauding the customs does not appear
to hurt the consciences of even the
most square-dealing. The writer Of
this readable account of the customs
tells an amusing story of a woman of
refinement well known socially who ar
rived from Europe with a trunk which
had a false bottom easily dfscoverable
to the rawest official. She was taken
into a private room, examined and in
formed that she had to pay the full
foreign value Of the goods and so per
cent fine. She was perfectly willing to
pay, did it gladly, indeed, to avoid pub
licity. When it was paid the inspector
turned to her and said: Nov, would
you mind telling me why you did
this?" Almost in tears she said: "Be-
cause I'm an old fool" Presently she
said: Il have always paid duty be-
fore, and It never crossed my mind
to try to avoid it. But Of all the women
know who go abroad 1 am the only one
who admits having done so. I am the
laughing stock of them ALL They never
paid duty, they said. and they are al
ways making fun of me because I do
So this time 1 made up my mind l
would not That's ALL"
Then there was the man who tuck
ed his left arm under his vest and filed
his empty coat sleeve with many yards
of dutiable silk. He was discovered
by an inspector accidentally knocking
against him and discovering that the
supposedly empty sleeve = was very
firm. Every person caught cheating is
inclined to take out his wrath upon the
head of the inspectors, forgetting that
1t is their duty to enforce the laws as
they find them, but so ungracious an
occupation is it that it it is difficult to
lind persons willing to undertake it.
But why the most honest of people
should regard it as no sin to cheat the
government is a psychological problem
we do not pretend to solve.
Mr.. Winston Churchilrs novel "The
Crossing is said to be an absorbing
and vigorous love story of the early
days of the last century. The scenes
are at various places and points of the
Mississippi valley, and incidentally
portray the life Of the states between
the Alleghanies and the Mississippi
before the Louisiana purchase. This
is the second book in point of chronol-
ogy in the series Mr. Churchill is writ
ing of American life. "The Crossing"
will probably be followed in a year or
two with a novel dealing with modern
life and treating of some of the prob
lens of the present day. Mr.. Church.
ills books afford an almost ideal COM
bination Of entertainment and instruc-
tion. The love story is always inter
esting and well told and there are
plenty of dramatic incidents. He
never descends to the meIodramatic
and his power as a story teller is re-
strained and wisely directed. His her
oines are charming and heroes manly.
Readers of his books gain a. more vivid
impression, a more living picture. and
a better-rounded conception of what
life was like in the days Of which he
writes than they do from many his
tories. His work is that of an en-
thusiast who looks upon life with the
eyes of a young. cultivated, we'll bal
anced man of the world