The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-11-04
Afarslta ttEj.
From he Knich erJockrr
THE FAIR INC0GNIT0.
An AUTHENTIC sKETCH.

AN AUTHENTIC SKETCH
Amour four years since, on board of ono Of the
STEAMBOATS,, on her passng c from New York to
Albany, three strangers were obselved; an elderly
man and wOmau with nothing about their persons
to distinguish them from other passengers, and n
much younger female, who might have passed for
their daughter but that something in her appear
unce and movement occasionally marked her MS Of
superior rank. The elder couple, with very few
words of conversation, promenaded the upper deck
while the boat was passing through the interesting
scenery OF the Palisades and Highlands; and their
companion kept pace with them, except when
some object drew her 10 the railing on either side,
the better TO crafty her curiosity.
Among the many loungcrs on the benches, some
beguing time with the newspapers the day or
in conversation, gentleman of proposing appear.
ancc reclined at his ease, Having no companion,
it was natural that he should particularly notice not
only the points of attraction constantly presenting
themselves on the shores of the majestic Hudson,
but also the motley collection of travellers who
surrounded him. The young female already men
toned certain y could not suppose herself the OBJ
icct ofnny ones curiosity being us plainly habi,ed
us those to whom she evidently belonged, for all
might reasonably have been set down as un-
presumins citizens, Of the middn! class
She nevertheless had drawn greater share Of
tho lone gencman's notice han he bestowed on
others. lie arose and walked The deck; they
came frequently in contact, as each appeared in
tent on common object; but so delicate was his
conduct that suspicion Of design could nol be I'M
ugined. Common civity induced IN occassnol
remark on the gcnleman's paltHhc Young woman's
polished manner of acknowledging such ,lGng at
ten,ion excited his desire 10 ascertain who she
really was, for he felt assured that she must be
above what her own plain half inents aud the hear
ing of her companions bespoke her, With these,
her only Communication was by monosyablcs, md
her air towards them seemed rather hbitually
commanding, while on their part the dcGtrcn
'ial could not be kept under
urbanlty naturally bcgois confidence among crl-
ihaled persons. That the gentleman was such
unqueslionably, bis companion felt sure; and she
had no reserve in the intercourse which in the or
binary 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
OIL The Revolutionary war, as they passed by the
sorlrcsscs, conjurng up the "reminiscences Of the
unfortunate Andre and the traitor Arnold. II was
now plain to be perceived tia, the ques;cncr was
an English woman, possessing mind of unusual
strength. West Point here appeared in the dis
lance, and the gentleman had much to explain of
the military Academy, the cadets, the burial
ground, the accommodation for visitors, etc.
When they nearcd the landing place, the yourg
woman, as greatly impressed by the kind pains
The gentleman had taken 10 enlghien her curiosity,
gracefully observed, that here their journey iemi.
mated, and turned towards her companions, TO
whom she was overheard saving: 81 mean to stop
day or two in this place. This was no, in the
tone of one asking favor, but rather of person
used to dictate. The good man took up bis yalise,
the wife her band box, awhile she with gh, hand /
basket trudged with them towards the ganrway.
The young woman might no, have had a face
formed to cap,ivate every beho!der with its lovI !
ness; she might have possessed a figure that was
totally unnoticcd by all the other passengers en-
cept the gentleman who had so condescendinrlv
spoken 10 her; but there was an indescrilablc
something abon, her that excited him to know more
Ills determination was instantly aken and with
his little carpet bag he landed at the same moment,
The trio were stopped,as customary at IVES, Point,
by the sentry or duty, and directed TO enter their
names on slate which he presented for the pur-
pose. Wherefore should our gentleman desire 10
learn their names more particularly than those of
more fashionable looking people going through the
same cerenonry' Thus i; was, however: bu, he
observed nothing more inscribed than simplv. .ur
Williamson, wife and niece" The modes, MARTY
let their bc,ters pass onward, following at mod.
crate distance; and when the gentleman had
scrawled Mr. Anderson, as his cognomcn, he wen,
in pursuit,