Year: 1876

A gentleman holding a high Off
cial position in the courts of law IN
Paris, during the long vacation, went
IN company with his wife, or a tour
of pleasure in Belgium. After hav-
ing travelled through that interest
ing country, they were returning
home by railway, the husband with
his mind quite at rest, like man
blessed with an untroubled con-
science, while the lady felt that un-
comfortable sensation which arises
from the recollection of some i'm
prudence or a dread ofsome approach
ing danger. When they were near
the frontie", the lady could no long
er restrain her uneasiness. Leaning
towards her husband, she whispered
to him


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


"What! as a smuggler?" exclaim-
ed the husband, in a tone between
astonishment and alright.


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


"It is impossible; l cannot do it,"
said the gentleman.


"On the contrary, it is very easy"
was the reply, "rhe lace will fit in
the bottom of your hat"


"But do you recolleot," rejoined
the gentleman, the position occupy"


'But recollect,' said the wife, "there
is not an instant to lose, and this lace
cost me 800 francs"


During the conversation the train
rapidly approached the dreaded sta
ton. Imagine the CONSERVATION Of
the worthy magistrate, who had al
ways been in the habit of consider
ing things with calm and slow delib-
Grafton, thus Unexpectedly placed in
a 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 fore,
ed it down almost to his ears, and
then resigned himself to his fate
At this station the travellers were in
vited to come out of the carnage
and to walk into the room where the
customhouse agents were assembled.
The gentleman concealed his uneas-
mess as best he could, and handed
his passport with an air of assumed
Indifference. When his position as
Judge became known, the officials OF
the custom-house Immediately hast
ened to tender their respects, and de
clared they considered it quite un
necessary to examine the luggage
labelled with the name of one who
occupied such an important situation
in the State. Never had the magis-
trate more sincerely valued the res
pect attached to his position; and
if secret remorse for a moment dis
turbed his mind, at least he breathed
more freely when he recollected the
danger had passed, and the violation
of the revenue laws he committed
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 of the local gendarmerie
having heard of the arrival Of SC
distinguished person, came to Offer
their respects. To their profound
salutation the judge responded by
Immediately raising his hat with the
utmost politeness. Could he do less:
But alas! in his polite obeisance he
had forgotten the contents of his hat
He had scarcely raised it from his
head when cloud of lace rushed
out, covering him from head to foot
as with large marriage veil. What
language can describe the confusion
of the detected smuggler,the despair
of the wife, the amusement Of the
spectators, or the astonishment OF
the custom-house officers, at the
scene? The offence was too public
to be overlooked. With many ex
pressions of regret on the part of the
authorities, the magistrate was de
tanned till the matter should be in
vestigated.