Omaha daily bee., 1909-07-11

the representative crossed to get them
across for an extra charge OF perhaps fl
on each suit One steward who practised
this custom of delivering goods in Boston
to several customers of the firm made a
tidy sum, for he occasionally risked bring
ing in as many as two suits on each trip,
and perhaps an ulster or overcoat which
he would put on and wear. He was of
medium size, and 1t was his practice to
put on the new suit under a loose suit of
his own and wear It off the ship, and de-
liver 1t to the customer from his own per-
son. This was carried on several years,
and II Is not known that the steward was
ever detected or hat he is not doing 1t
still. IT know it's not right" he said.
but when a man has a family and a lot
o. Riddles to feed, well, It's easy money"
Household FurnishinEs.
Another form OF systematic smuggling is
not really smuggling. yet is officially. when
II is done with intent to defraud. For in
stance, an American widow with two at
tractive daughters went to Paris and Dres-
den to live for a year or two, to complete
the musical education OF the girls. A
proposition was made to her by a dealer
in her own city, who asked her II she
wanted to clear her expenses While on
the trip abroad. 'If you are willing to
remain long enough to establish a resi-
dence in Europe he said. 'this will be
easy" To make a long story short, the
woman sailed into the port OF Boston
one fair day, radiant and excited over get
ting back to her home again after her two
years exile. When her luggage was taken
from the steamer she had boxes upon
boxes packed full OF antique furniture,
Oriental rugs, pictures and bric-a-brac
enough to stock a small store, the fur
niture OF her apartment, as she truly said.
She had remained. to be sure OF entering
her belongings duty free. a month longer
than was actually required to establish a
residence abroad. And while her girls had
been pursuing their educations in art and
music their mother had haunted old shops
In Paris and in various German towns
where she could gather up rare and beauti-
full things with which 10 furnish her
apartment" OF course. she was within her
rights. Having lived abroad during the
specified time, and having kept an apart
ment during all that time IN Germany. we
will say, she was entitled to bring back
her personal effects and her furniture and
personal property free of duty, for she had
the necessary documentary evidence from
the United States consul. and her posses
sions were passed accordingly and sh3
swept down the pier in triumph, after
giving shipping directions. That woman's
household furnishings' were all taken of
her hands at a hsndsome profit by this
dealer. And this is being done constantly
with many vaEtations.
Caught in the Act.
A frequent form OF smuggling has only
Just been stopped by the custom house off,
cials. II Was a simple one and had beer
practised for nsny years-just how Iona
no one exactly knows-by the thousand and
one peddlers of various nationAlities whC
haunt the piers OF the ocean sreamers. II
was their custom to go on the pier with
their bundles. presumably containing ware.
TO be bought by stewart and other persons
on board the steamers. 1t was found thai
their bundles did not always contain hand
~kerchiefs. needles. collar buttons and the
other notions usually carried in stock by
I peddlers OF this class. but that many Of
them were fake" bundles. which they ex'
changed at the steamer or on the pier fol
other bundles given them by the seamen
containing dutiable goods. Now peddlers