The Randall County news. (Canyon City, Tex.) 1908-1926, 1910-03-25

pass upon the value of the goods de-
| clared
| The latter gave !. sharp look at Mrs.
Jeffreys. who was talking very volubly
to her husband and telling him in a
zone that was audible some distance
away how she had taken his advice
| and declared everything. The official
peered into the trunk that was nearest
him and then wrote something in red
ink on the bottom Of the declaration.
Then the inspector carefully placed ,
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 a trunk.
Crash, The bottom Of vase drop
ped upon the pier and rolled some dis
lance away. Mr.. Jeffreys had gone to
look for porter. His wife started to
make rush for the broken piece, but
as she did so keen eyed man who
was standing near anticipated her.
us that yours, madam he de-
manded.
Mrs. Jeffreys hesitated. Yes" she
said. with gasp.
"Will you kindly show me the other
part Of it,"
The woman almost tainted. why.
1t isn't possible-it-er-it's in my
trunk she finally managed to get out.
81 am sorry. madam. but must see
the other part of this vase. Will you
open your trunk"
Mrs. Jeffreys handed him the keys.
(Which one?"
"This-nO, that-no, the other one.
Merciful heavens. what shall | do"
And Mrs. Jeffreys sank weeping on
one Of her trunks just as her husband
came back with porter,
What is this? Who are your he
demanded Of the other man, The lat
ter showed him the shield Of special
officer Of the treasury. 81 must see
the other part Of this vase he re-
peated to the husband Mr.. Jeffreys,
protesting. gave him his card.
II 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
chance for a sensational story"
He went away and returned with
uniformed inspector, not the old man
who had made the previous inspection,
but a younger. Here" he told him,
get this womau's declaration and re-
inspect those trunks" The special
stood by while each article was being
turned ont in a heap on the pier. He
fingered the dresses and looked at tn
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 1t was that be-
longing TO Heloise.
Tell the appraiser in charge to
come here"
L
the pile of finery He looked at each
garment separately and then put down
a lot of figures.
THE total is $780, the special"
informed Mrs. Jeffreys. Under the
law we have a 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 mo-
ment; | forgot We have not found
Jeffreys.
Let me go aboard the steamship
she begged. land | will find it for
you
Il have 10 objection, madam" he
replied. but an inspector must ac-
company you
Mrs. Jeffreys started back. "Oh, hor-
rors, Never she protested.
"A woman inspector, madam" the
special explained. But Mrs. JEFF
freys still protested vigorously. Mr..
JeffreyS. feeling that the scene had
gone far enough, demanded to see the
official in charge of the pier.
Il regret it. sir he said, but your
wife will have to accompany the wo-
man inspector on board the ship and
be searched"
1t is best not TO follow the two wo-
men into that stateroom. The in
spectreSs came out with a broken
Sevres vase aud a whole one and sew
eral pairs Of stockings
Now. madam" said the special, y
I'VE shah not take into account the
new dress and hat you are wearing.
Under the circumstances | think you
would prefer TO have us seize what is
left of the pair Of vases. Now, if
your husband will step to the cash
iers office and pay the duty on 500
worth Of goods. less $500 worth al
lowed for yourself and maid, | think
the requirements Of the law will be
met"
When they had got into their car
riage Mr.. Jeffreys turned TO his wife
sternly.
why did you not do as l told your
he demanded