The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-01-19


dies, as we all called him-was a pi-
quaint and interesting old bachelor.
He was very popular in a wide circle
of acquaintances, for added to his
amiable personal qualities, he had
plenty of money and was gloriously
hospitable. At the same time he pos
sessed parsimonious peculiarities that
made him the subject Of innumerable
good stories, adding considerably 10
the amusement of all who knew him.
Still he was, indeed, the last man In
the world we would have expected to
be bowled out in an act not quite
consistent with severest rectitude. so
when Dickson came hurriedly into our
hotel at Boulogne and told US that
Tommy was proposing to do little
smuggling, we were all disposed 10
be incredulous
We had picked UP Traddles on our
way home from an autumn holiday In
Normandy. It was the morning OF
the day on which we had arrived to
take the boat across from Boulogne
that Dickson told us how he had
CHANGED to spy the solemn. immacu-
late Tommy in the very act of making
up a brown-paper parcel OF dried DOT
anical specimens, in the middle OF
which he was cunningly conceallng
some bundles of Petits Bouquets, EVIL
IDENTITY in the hope of smuggling them.
We felt we had got Tommy on
toast this time, and we owed him a
.long score for practical witticisms
played upon us. Now we could pay
him in his own coin, although we
couldn't agree as to the best method
eof doing 1t. What we wanted was to
expose Tommy's little enterprise with
out doing him any real harm, and
,that was Just what we couldn't quite
see our way to do.
livingstone took no part In the dis
.cussion until we seemed to have
reached the end of our inventive re-
sources; then he quietly announced
that he had capital plan. and II we
would follow his directions, Tommy
should have startling show-up. With
the promptitude of master mind II
command of dolts livingstone hrs'
held whispering aside with the sim
ple-hearted Dickson, and then sem
him away on some errand, and witt
many an irrepressible chuckle, N
proceeded to initiate the others int'
the parts each would play In MI
plot
According to instructions. we begal
oy displaying an inquisitive interes
I'm Traddles' parcel as soon as we go
on board the boat We offered to lem
him a small portmanteau to which h
might transfer his botanical spec
mems. 1t would be more convenien
and would look better.
AS our voyage progressed. W
agreed that Traddles was not happ!
Apparently, the parcel weighed Q
his mind, and quite unscrupulously W
took every means Of increasing ri
uueasiness. We enlarged on tn
folly of smuggling, and told tales
ignominious exposure and heav
fines.
"Fincs!" echoed one of our part,
sThey don't fine nowadays. Sine
the last act the penalty for smu
Cling is imprisonment, without tn
option of fine
Poor Tommy's face was stud
His jaw dropped dismally, and |
looked altogether moody and mise
able
As we drew near the end of IL
VOYAGE Traddles looked as II
would give worlds for the opportuni
to drop the wretched parcel owe
board, IL only he could get out
our sight for a moment. We too
good care, however, that there shou
be no backing out of the enterpris
and as Tommy marched down Il
gangway. he looked, or we fancied
did. a little white about the mout
but he held his virtuous head so
right, and handled the parcel wi
such an air of innocent concern. tn
he might have passed through but I
the astounding action of Dicksc
who hurried forward and tipped
wink to the man in buttons as
passed.
Anything to declare?" was t
phlegmatic official inquiry. as Tomr
passed.
Nothing dutiable," declared t
audacious Tommy, with an air
dignity that should have carried CT
viction. "Only botanical specime
and-and-one or two other thin
Not dutiable. l assure you"
Tommy tried very hard to maints
an aspect of outraged dignity as
officer resolutely began to unite
parcel, but he couldn't help betr'
ing the greatest agitation. He ste
he very picture of a detected cri
inal. He protested. then he blusteI
and coaxed.
1t was, of course. useless, and
official was deaf to entreaty. w
l. n