Part 69 (1/2)
”That's all.”
”What's it on?”
”Imported fruits.”
”How about spiced fish?” said the Tennessee Shad, coming to the rescue, ”and, likewise, Italian gla.s.s?”
The Millionaire Baby gave a groan.
”Imported fish, forty per cent,” said Dennis, ”gla.s.s--Venetian gla.s.s--thirty-five per cent. He owes us thirty per cent on this.”
”Continue,” said Stover, casting a grateful glance at the Tennessee Shad.
”Two boxes of candied prunes, that's vegetables, twenty-five per cent.”
”They're preserved in sugar, aren't they?”
”Sure.”
”There's a duty of fifty per cent on sugar.”
”Long live the Sugar Trust.”
”Doggone robbers!” said the Millionaire Baby tearfully.
”Three boxes salted almonds, one large box of chocolate bonbons, one angel cake and six tins of candied ginger.”
The judges, deliberating, a.s.sessed each article. Stover rose to announce the decree.
”The clerk of the court will return to the importer thirty-five per cent of the plum cake, twenty-five per cent of the candied prunes, one box of salted almonds and two tins of ginger.”
The Millionaire Baby breathlessly contained his wrath.
Dennis de Brian de Boru Finnegan addressed the court:
”Your Honor.”
”Mr. Finnegan.”
”I beg to call to your Honor's attention that these goods have been seized and are subject to a fine.”
”True,” said Stover, glancing sternly at the frothing Bellefont. ”I would be inclined to be lenient, but I am informed that this is not the defendant's first offense. The clerk of the court will, therefore, confiscate the whole.”
The Millionaire Baby, with a howl, began to express himself in the language of the stables.
”Gag him,” said Stover, ”and let him be informed that the duties will be lightened if in the future he declares his imports.”
The government then applied the revenues to the needs of the department of the interior.