Year: 1876

position in the courts of law in Paris,
during the long vacation, went in COM
pany with his wife on tour Of pleasure
in Belgium. After having travelled
through this interesting country they
were returning home by the railway, the
husband with his mind quite at rest,
like a man blessed with an untroubled
conscience, while the lady felt that un-
comfortable sensation which comes from
the recollection Of some imprudence, or
dread of some approaching danger.
When they were near the frontier the
lady could no longer restrain her uneasi-
ness. Leaning toward her husband she
whispered to him:


81 have lace in my portmanteau
take it and conceal it that it may not be
seized"


"Whatl as a smuggler2" exclaimed
the husband, with voice between aston
ishment and alright.


cit is beautiful Malines lace, and cost
great DEAL" replied the lady. "We
are now quite near the custom house,;
hasten to conceal it."


at is impossible; I can not do it"
said the gentleman.


Con the contrary, it is very easy" was
the reply. "The lace will fit in the bot
tom of your hat"


"But do you recollect," rejoined the
gentleman, the position l occupy p


"But reco.lect," said the wife, there
is not an instant to lose, and this lace
cost me fifteen hundred francs"
During the conversation the train rap
idly approached the dreaded station.
Imagine the CONSERVATION of the magis-
trate, who had always been in the habit
of considering things with calm any
slow deliberatiOn, thus unexpectedld
placed in position so embarrassing and
so critical. Overcome and perplexed by
his difficulties, and losing all presence of
mind, he allowed his wife to put the lace
in his hat, and, having placed it on his
head, he forced it down almost to his
ears, and then resigned himself to his
fate. At this station the travellers were
invited to come out of the carriage, and
to walk into the room where the custom
house agents were assembled. The gen.
tleman concealed his uneasiness as best
he could, and handed his passport with
an air of assumed indifference. When
his position as a Judge became known
the officials of the custom house immedi-
ately hastened to tender their respects,
and declared they considered it quite un-
necessary to examine the luggage labeled
with the name of one who occupied such
high and important position in the
State.


Never had the magistrate more sim
cerely valued the respect attached to his
position; and if secret rem0rse for, a
moment disturbed his mind, at least he
breathed more freely when he recollected
the danger had passed, and that the vic,
lation Of the revenue laws he had COM
mitted would escape discovery. With
this comfortable assurance, and while q
severe examination was passing on the
property of other passengers, the head OF
the custom house and the commander oi
the local gendarmie, having heard OF the
arrival Of 80 distinguished a person
came to offer him their respects. TC
their profound salutatiOn the judge re
sponded by Immediately raising his hal
with the utmost politeness. Could III
do lessY But, alas in his polite Obei
sance, 80 rapid and 30 voluntary, he hat
forgotten the contents of his hat. Ht
had scarcely raised it from his head wher
cloud of lace rushed out, covering hin
from head to foot, as with large mar
riage veil. What language can describe
the confusion of the detected smuggler
the despair of the wife, the amusement
of the spectators, or the astonishment o
the custom house officers at the scene
The offense was too public to be over
looked. With many expressions OF re
gret on the part of the authorities th'
magistrate was detained till the matte
should be investigated.