Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-11-29
THE
SMUGGLER
By M. QUAD

By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1911. by Associated LII.
erary Press.

Aunt Jane Roe. wife Of Uncle Joe
Roe. farmer, was a conscientious wo-
man. That was the chief reason why
there we're no screens at doors or win
dows to keep the flies out In summer.
She thought insects ought to have 1
chance the same as human beings.
Aunt Jane had City hens. She d.
vided their food in fifty equal portions.
II one hen got kernel of corn too lit
tie 1t was made up to her. She would
have no mousetraps about the house.
and she believed all tin peddlers hon.
est.
This good woman had been conscien-
tious for almost fifty years. when two
startling episodes occurred in her life.
Uncle Joe sold horse and out Of the
money bought her an alpaca dress. the
first she had ever had. 1t wasn't made
up, but there were twelve full yards
Of the shiny goods. Some day when the
Innings and trimmings could be had
she would make 1t into q best dress.
The second episode was letter from
her sister Nancy. entreating her to pay
q visit to the home In Canada. More
over, Nancy sent the money for the
journey. That clinched the matter
with Uncle Joe. who had only the av-
erage conscience. He said. Get ready
and 60 and stay two weeks" but Aunt
Jane answered:
How can l even think Of such q
thing? You'd let the clock run down
the very first night l was gone, and
you'd let them two roosters eat up all
the corn for twenty hensv'
After talking matters over for
week. however, and after remember
ing that Sister Nancy was good
dressmaker it was decided that Aunt
Jane should pay the visit: 1t was
straight run to Sister Nancy's. All she
had to do was to keep her seat and ask
the conductor every fifteen minutes If
they were most there. The rails kept
their place. and the cars stayed on the
rails, and in due time Aunt Jane and
Sister Nancy were landed in each 9TH
er's arms. After three or four days
the trimmings were bought and work
started on the new dress. Aunt Jane
was wearing 1t when she reached
home.
One day two weeks later. as Uncle
Joe was hoeing potatoes in the field. he
heard the dinner horn blow. 1t was 2
O'Clock in the afternoon, and that toot-
ing could only mean danger Of some
kind. He dropped his hoe and hiked.
Aunt Jane awaited him at the kitchen
door. She was palefaced and weeping
and wringing her hands.
well, what is it?" was asked.
1--WE got to go to prison for the rest
of my life!" was the sobbing reply.
Nonsense! What you been doing"
"And II don't 90 to prison the fine
will be at least $1.0O0!'
For what? Why in tarnashun don't
you tell me?"
Gimme a little time. pa. I'm all
shook up. The truth Of the matter is
I'm a smugglerg'
"As howT'
IT took that dress goods over to Can
ada and didn't say a word about 1t.
There l had my dress made up and
wore it home and didn't say nothing.
That's smuggling. and smuggling is an
awful thing"
"No, 'twan't. It was Jest slip.
'Tain't like hiding stone in the bot
tom Of butter crock. Now. you jest
shet up about 1t and don't skeer me
to death blowing horns out O. time"
When Uncle Joe came up to supper
be saw that Aunt Jane was still trou-
bled. She had brought the dress down
stairs and wrapped it up. He refused
to open the subject again. and that
night he knew she didn't sleep a wink.
For the first time in twenty years the
clock was left unwound. He was
ready to go to the field when he asked:
Are you going to keep this thing up
right along"
Eyes. unless it's fixed" was the tear
full reply.
.sThen I'd better board In the barn!"
"But it's my conscience. pa-my con-
science. I've tried to forget 1t. but l
can't. II 60 to sing l hear voice
saying to me:
"'Aunt Jane, you are smuggler. and
you dasnt look one Of your own hens
in the face! You've robbed Canada.
and you've robbed America. and you
deserve to be sent to state prison!
That's the way the voice keeps say.
ing, pa. and what am ! to doT'
"Tell 1t to go to Texas"
For a week Aunt Jane was the most
miserable woman In the state. She
was ridiculed and scolded by turns,
but when Uncle Joe realized that there
was no other way to bring back her
peace of mind he said:
"Waal, tie another string around the
bundle. and I'll go along with 1t and
have 1t over with. tn cost $3.50 to
go and come, but If don't go you'll be
fat in bed In a week or more"
And a trip was made to the border.