There recently arrived at Shanghai a Chinese bringing with him opium to the value of some Tls. 4,000. Being apparently a novice in the quiet game getting ashore, he spent some time, whilst other passengers were leaving the vessel. in evolving a safe disembark ation scheme, and finally hit upon the happy idea of engaging the assistance of a fellow passenger ~a lady of equivocal reputation. She was entrusted with the valuable parcel, and having duly concealed the same, tripped it neatly down the gangway. Having landed, she "took steps" to disappear with all possible speed, to the dismay of the amateur smuggler. Tle made a rush for the gangway in the hope of getting a line on the fair one, but failed. Returning to gather his luggage together, he found it had all been stolen!
Moral: If you must smuggle opium, never trust a lady, and keep ap eye on your luggage.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.