OUTWITTING THE CUSTOMS OFFICER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12696, 26 October 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUTWITTING THE CUSTOMS OFFICER.

I Didn't you ever hear of a cat being used ' for smuggling?" asked the steward of one ' of the big ocean liners as he eat down to spin a little sea vara. "No? Well, it's a fact. Net long ago it happened that the ship's carpenter had picked up a lot of fine cigars that he wanted to sneak in without paying Uncle Sam for the ' privilege. He didn't Know just how to manage it but just as we got to port anidea struck him. I "A :-arpentei always has a sort of case i called a 'bass' that lie carries his tools in. ; When this one got ready to go ashore he , put one ot the ship's cats into his bass and ' swung it carelessly over his shoulder on the handle of his hammer. As he came down the plank the first thing he did <vas to run into a Customs inspector. " ' What have you got in your bass? demanded the inspector. " ' Nothin' but a cat sir, replied the carpenter, starting on. "Open up voui bass and lets see, said the other, eyeing the bass suspiciously. ,C, I can't, sir; I'd lose my cat,' replied the carpenter. - . ' " This settled it with the inspector. He smelled d fine case of smuggling. He insisted, and the carpenter, with much grumbling, swung, down bis bass and opened it, when sure enough out jumped a cat and made a lash back to the ship. "'There, I told you you'd make me lose the cat!" said the carpenter. "The carpenter went back to get his cat, and when he returned was permitted to pass : and the inspector has never yet guessed that this time instead of a cat there were a lot of fine cigars inside the bass."