The North-Carolina standard., 1842-10-19
From the Knickcrbocker.
THE FAIR INCOGNITO.
AN AUTHENTIC SIX


THE FAIR INCOGNITO.
AN AUTHENTIC SKETCH.
About four years since, on board OF one of the
steamboats,, on her passage from New York to
Albany, three strangers were observed; an elder
ly man and woman with nothing about their per-
sons to distinguish them from other passengers.
and much younger female, who might have pas
sed for their daughter but that something in her
appearance and movement occasionally marked
ed her as of superior rank The elder couple,
with very few words of conversation, promcnaded
the upper deck while the boat was passing through
the Interesting scenery of the Palisades and High
lands; and their companion kept pace with them,
except when some object drew her to the railing
on either side, the better to gratify her curiosity
Among the many loungers on the benches
some beguiling time with the newspapers of the
day or in conversation, gentleman OF proposes
sing appearance reclined at his ease. Having no
companion, it was natural that he should partic-
ularly notice not only the points of attraction con-
stantly presenting themselves on the shores ofthe
majestic Hudson, but also the motley collection of
travellers who surrounded him. The young fe-
male already mentioned certainly could not sup
pose herself the object ofany ones curiosity, be-
ing as plainly habited as those to whom she evil
IDENTIFY belonged, for all might reasonably have
been set down as unpresuming citizens the mid
ding class. She nevertheless had drawn great
er share of the lone gentleman's notice than he
bestowed on others He arose and walked the
deck; they came frequently in contact, as each
appeared intent on a common object; but so deli
cate his conduct that suspicion design could
not be imagined Common civility induced an oc-
casional remark on the gentleman's part the young
woman's polished manner of acknowledg ging such
tring attention excited his desire to ascertain who
she really was for he felt assured that she must
be above what her own plain habliments and the
bearing of her companions bespoke her With
these, her only communication was by monosylla-
bles, and her air towards them seemed rather ha-
bitually commanding, while on their part the def
ferential could not be kept under.
Urbanity naturally begets confidence among
cultivated persons That the gentleman was such
unquestionably, his companion felt sure and she
had reserve In the intercourse which in the Or
dinary course of steamboat travelling she expected
could last only few hours. She therefore freely
asked information of much which she desired to
know, and he was competent to satisfy her utmost
inquiry. The theme naturally reverted to events
of the Revolutionary war, as they passed by the
tortresses, conJuring up the "reminiscences of the
unfortunate Andre and the traitor Arnold 1t was
now plain to be perceived that the questioner was
an English woman possessing mind of unusual
strength. West Point here appeared in the dis
tance, and the gentleman had much to explain of
the military Academy, the cadets, the burial
ground, the accommodation for visitors, ETC.
When they neared the landing place, the young
woman, as if greatly impressed by the kind pains
the gentleman had taken to enlighten her curiosi-
ty, gracefully observed that here their Journey ter
minated, and turned towards her companions, to
whom she was overheard saying: "I mean to stop
day or two in this place" This was not in the
tone of one asking favor, but rather of person
used to dictate The good man took up his va
lise, the wife her band box, while she with lioht
handbasket trudged with them towards the gang
way.
The young woman might not have had face
formed to captiVate every beholder with its lowell
ness; she might have possessed figure that was
totally unnoticed by all thef other passengers ex-
cept the gentleman who had so condescendingly
spoken to her; but there was an indiscribable
something about her that excited him to know
more. His determination was instantly taken
and with his little carpet bag he landed at the
same moment The trio were stopped. as custom
ary at West Point, by the sentry on duty and di-
rected to enter their names on slate which he
presented for the purpose. Wherefore should our
gentleman desire to learn their names more mar
ticularly than those of more fashionable LOOKING
people going throug gh the same ceremony2 Tins
it was, however: but he observed nothing more
inscribed than simply, "Mr. Williamson. wife and
niece" The modest party let their betters pass on
ward, following at moderate distance and when
the gentleman had scrawled Mr. Anderson as his
cognomen, he went in pursuit.
That he should take the same road with the
young womans party was by no means extraor
dLnary, there being as is well known but ONE
Nelther was there any thing remarkable in his
overtaking them, the elder couple not BEING over
aiert and their protege apparently unused to the
gan Ok tarm-h house girl or pert waiting woman.
J" NA respectful bow Of recognition he might