The Prescott daily news., 1910-03-17

While they were WaltlDS unuet tF letter "J' for their baggage to be at semhled her husband solicitously urged her to sit on trunk and spread d steamer rug for her.
 "No." she said: "I feel much better standing" At the same time she felt as if she must sink. for the two vases. really light now weighed hundred pounds each.
 It was an age before the trunks and bags were collected and the customs inspector began his examination. He looked at Mrs. Jeffreys declaration, and as his eyesight was none or the best he found only what she had list ed Then he called an appraiser to pass upon the value of the goods de- clared.
 The latter gave d sharp look at Mrs. Jeffreys. who was talking very volubly to her husband and telling him in a tone that was audible some distance away how she had taken his advice and declared everything The official peered into the trunk that was nearesi him and then wrote something in red ink on the bottom of the declaration. Then the inspector carefully placed a label on each of the packages show ing that they had been passed, and Mrs. Jeffreys in her relief, forgetting her own precious cargo. pumped her self down upon trunk.
 Crash. The bottom of a vase drop ped upon the pier and rolled some dis tance away. Mir Jeffreys had gone to look for a porter. His wife started to make rush for the broken piece. but as she did so a keen eyed man who was standing near anticipated her.
 :'Is that yours. madam?' he de handed
 Mrs Jeffreys hesitated. "Yes," she said. with a gasp.
 Will you kindly show me the other part of it?"
 The woman almost tainted. Why. it isn't possible-it-er-its in my trunk" she finally managed to get out.
 'I am sorry. madam. but l must see the other part of this vase Will you open your trunk?"
 Mrs. Jeffreys handed him the keys.
 (Which one?"
 1ThiS-no, that-no, the other one. Merciful heavens. what shall l do?" And Mrs. Jeffreys sank weeping on one of her trunks just as her husband came back with a porter.
 What is this? Who are you?" he demanded of the other man. The lat ter showed him the shield of special officer of the treasury. 'I must see the other part of this vase" he re- peated to the husband. MT. Jeffreys. protesting. gave him his card
 'I would advise you to make no scene." the "special' told him. "There are lots of reporters about here. and they would be only too glad of a chance for a sensational story"
 He went away and returned with a uniformed inspector. not the old man who had made the previous inspection. but younger. Here" he told him, ''get this woman's declaration and re- inspect those trunks" The special" stood by while each article was being turned out in a heap on the pier. He fingered the dresses and looked at the declaration Then he took up several pieces of lingerie and examined them closely.
 "Ha. not worn! Apparently rubbed on the floor to give them that appear ance. See anything of that broken vase?'
 "No." the inspector replied. but here is lot of lace" It was that be- longing to Heloise.
 "Tell the appraiser in charge to come here"
 The latter was soon bending over the pile of finery. He looked at each garment separately and then put down a lot of figures.
 ''The total is $700." the "special' informed Mrs. Jeffreys. Under the law we have perfect right to seize the contents of the trunk, but to avoid unnecessary nOtoriety we will permit you to pay the duty and take the trunks away with you. Wait a mo- ment; forgot. We have not found that broken vase" He turned to Mrs. Jeffreys.
 Let me go aboard the steamship" she begged, 'and l will find it for you.'
 'I have no objection, madam" he replied. but an inspector must as- company you"
 Mrs. Jeffreys started back. "Oh, hor- TOTS! Never" she protested.
 "A woman inspector, madam" the special explained. But Mrs. Jeff freys still protested vigorously. MT.