Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-01-21
THE WIDOWS BABY

R NY unfortunate being who ever
IN attempted to smuggle anything
from the continent, and fell into
the hands Of Captain Peter Muggins,
OF His British Majesty's Customs, on
landing at Dover, never forgot the cir
cumstance.
The Captain was the one to vindi-
cate the honor Of the said British mai
esty. He was a short, stout. red
faced. well-fed and exceedingly i'll
tempered son Of Mars. His martial
tread and lOud-yOiced Oaths did not
convey the idea of Il carpet-knight, yet
ne had never faced the foe. nor
sought the bubble reputation at the
cannOn's mouth" No, he had content
ed himself with filling the Queens
tobacco pipe" as the kiln where con-
traband goods were formerly burned
was somewhat profanely styled.
The Captain was prepared to fix"
any one who carried ashore one cigar,
or one inch Of lace. a pair Of gloves,
or any other item.
As he stood thus. watching the com
ing ashore Of the passengers with a
stony British stare" he espied lady
who walked with the gentle, appeal
ing. uncertain step of a young widow.
She was followed by II nurse, wear
ing the cap and apron of French
bOnne; aud in the arms of this nurse
was baby. In long and flowing white
robes.
The Captain was on the alert.
The lady came up to him. and,
throwing back her long crepe veil, adj
dressed him In deep, musical ac-
cents:
you are the custom officer, sir?"
II am" responded the Captain. rath-
er grufiiy.
Now the widow was sufficiently
beautiful to disarm even the Immature
OF Captain Muggins. and just the style
OF beauty he would be sure to admire.
The widow was beautiful, with a
clear. brown eye-or, rather. two OF
them-velvet lidded. heavy fringed.
fun and languid prone to he cast down
mOdestiy and appraised suddenly, to the
no small confusion of the luckless
male bystander
She wore the full attire of woe.
small crepe bonnet. with a slight frost
work of white under it's brim. rested
on her glossy black hair Such hair,
waving. and shining. and blue black.
Her brow was smooth and broad.
and her eyebrows were black and deli
cate. but straight. not arched. Her
nose might be a trifie large, but It
was beautifully formed and clearly
chlseled and her mouth was beauti-
fui. the lips so full. so heartike, i'm
their proud arch. their coloring so
fresh and rich.
Then her complexion was OF n soft
ruddy. indescribable brunette tint. i'm
possible to picture I'm words. hut Who'll
ly charming; her chin was so finely
nodded. and her throat full and round
Altogether. the irascible Captain
thought, THE finest woman I've seen
for years!" For the widows form
fully equaled her face. and she was
handsomely dressed
Il am. madam he repeated
"Where is your luggage?"
Here it Is. | am alone-that H.
with the exception of my nurse and
baby. | have to travel so much now
aud always alone"
Tears seemed very close to the
widows lovely eyes, and Il mournfully
appealing tone touched even the iron
clad heart of Captain Muggins.
"Ail right, ma'am. Have nothing to
declare l suppose2'
Nothing. Please examine my
trunks. for long to rest, and my baby
has been quite seasick. poor darlingv'
The trunks were examined care.
fully; for. however fine a woman the
widow might be. DUTY before senti.
ment" was the Captains motto.
Nothing was found, and the trunks
were passed.
The widow took her baby from the
nurses arms, and hushed 1t to sleep.
as 1t had evinced signs Of disquietude
by beginning to whimper.