Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-09-14


chance to make some money In an In.
teresting way.
Two days later the three men were
aboard fruit and passenger steamer
ut Port Antonio, bound for Philadei.
phia. Beneath the mattress OF each
mans bunk were twenty cans Of
opium.
"All you have to do" elaborated the
smuggler. lis TO open up your bag
gage for inspection ms you approach
the port The inspectors SO through
Il but never do such thing AZ look
beneath the mattress. When they
have gone you take the opium out
from it's hiding place and put 1t into
your baggage. which had already been
inspected, Then II goes ashore"
But" insisted the special agent. is
not your stun examined again on the
wharf,"
This system would not work" Pc
terson explained, III you were landing
at New York. There the baggage IL
examined In the staterooms and again
on the pier. as the passengers come
ashore. But In Philadelphia there il
but the one examination. which takes
place In the stateroom,"
"Rut In there not q pretty good
chance that the inspector may some
time look under the mattress?" Gard
asked.
There IL the barest possibility" az.
sented the smuggler. I'VE have been
taking 1t In this way for years. and It
has never been found. But IL II IL
discovered. We have but to look limo
cent. 1t cannot be proven that we are
responsible for it's presence. 1t might
be the steward"
The three came into Philadelphia,
and passed the customs officials rs the
smugglers had prophesied, without a
hitch. They went to their hotel, and
there found themselves each the pos.
SCISSOR OF twenty cans of opium. for
which they had paid Ave dollars and
for which, Peterson said, they were to
receive $27.50 This was the part OF
the transaction that was yet to be
| demonstrated.
I'VE will do but little business In
Philadelphia" said Peterson, "iust to
show that IL can be done"
They took ten cans OF the opium to
a Chinaman In Arch street. with
whom Peterson was acquainted. Yes,
this man would buy opium. The price
for the same grade was the same m
before, $27.50. He could use all he
could get. He would be glad to take
ten cans. The profit on these ten cans
was $225,
I'VE could have sold him hundred
cans as easily, with ten times the
profit" said Peterson.
| In New York the smugglers called
upon Doctor Yen. In pell street. one
OF the important men In Chinatown
| He stated that he was able to buy
opium at $27.50. The smugglers In
sisted on $50. After much haggling
20 cans were sold at $3.50. Here was
a profit of $470.
But Doctor Yen was to be counseled
on a much more important matter
| He was to be told OF the proposal ia
purchase q boat for the opium trafiic
He was to be asked to guarantee tbs
purchase of large amounts OF opium.
The old Chinaman became greatly
excited. He ran to his safe and came
back with $4,000 In currency. HI
was willing to put up this money FOL
Its value In opium at $3.50 can al
soon as delivered. When that wal
gone there would be other money. Ill
alone would make the owners Of thu
boat rich. ....- .
In Boston was the actual headquar
tiers of Peterson and Flavot A Jew
by the name of Ferren was their flnan
cial hacker. II was Ferren who hat
put them into the business. Wher
Ferren was told Of the proposed en-
terprise he would not at first listen Il
1t. He would have to be shown tina
this Mr.. Gard was on the level
There were too many eyes watching
for opium.
Peterson told of the credentials, and
finally succeeded In convincing him
that Gard was what he purported tc
be and. gaining confidence as the plar
developed, the Jew finally became en-
thusiastic. In the end he We'd with
Doctor Yen in his anxiety to purchase
unlimited opium.
Gradually Gard granted that he wal
convinced OF the feasibility Of the
scheme, IL he were shown the posi-
bility Of getting the schooner into the
states. 1t was at this point that he
was introduced to one Captain Bailey
who had, some years before. figured In
very sensational attempt at the in
PRODUCTION of Cinnamon from Canada
and their landing at New Haven
Bailey had been caught, had served a
term In prison, and, since bis liberia
ton, was running a fish stand In Bos
ton market.
But Bailey knew all the coves In the
Atlantic and the gulf into which a
boat might put. He knew every
dock where she might tie UP. and the
time that must pass thereafter before
| 1t would be safe to put his men
l To .fno AZ