Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-03-03
From the Knckerbocker.
THE FAIR INCO NTTO.
AN AUTHENTIC SKETCH.

Il IL II II n IA L N y " u ~ ".
AN AUTHENTIC SKETCH.
About four years since, on board one of
the steamboats, on her passage from New
York to Albany, three strangers were OBJ
served an elderly man and woman with
nothing about their persons to distinguish
them from other passengers, and much
younger female, who might have passed for
their daughter but that something in her
appearance and movement occasionally
marked her as 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 to the railing
either side, the better to crafty her curiosity.
Among the many loungers on the bench
es, some beguilng time with the newspapers
of the day or in conversation, a gentleman
of prepossessing appearance reclined at his
ease. Having no companion it was natural
that he should particularly notice not only
the points of attraction constantly present.
ing themselves on the shores of the majestic
Hudson, but also the motey collection of
udNtlIGIS WIN DlIll Ht lUuHD
female already mentioned certainly could
not suppose herself the object of any ones
curiosity being as plainly habited as those
to whom she evidently belonged, for all
might reasonably have been set down as I'M
presuming citizens, of the middling class
She nevertheless had drawn a greater share
of the lone gentleman's notice than he be-
slowed on others. He arose and walked
the deck they came frequently in contact,
as each appeared intent on common OBJ
iect but so delicate was his conduct that
suspicion of design could not be imagined
Common civlity induced an occasional re,
mark on the gentleman's part. The young
woman's polished manner of acknowledging
such trihing attention excited his desire tc
ascertain who she really was, for he felt as
sured that she must be above what her own
plain habiliments and the bearing of hel
companions bespoke her With these hel
only communication was by monosyIIables
and her air towards them seemed rather
habitually commanding, while on their part
the differential could not be kept under.
Urbanity naturally begets confidence a,
mong cultivated persons. That the gen
teman was such unquestionably, his com.
panion felt sure and she had no reserve
in the intercourse which in the ordinary
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 nat
urally reverted to events of the Revolutions
AIRY war, as they passed by the fortresses
conluring up the "reminiscences of the un
fortunate Andre and the traitor Arnold
1t twas now plain to be perceived that the
questloner was an English woman, posses
sing mind of unusual strength. Wes
Point here appeared in the distance, anC
the gentleman had much to explain of the
military Academy, the cadets, the buria
ground, the accommodation for visitors, etc
When they neared the landing place, thu
young woman, as if greatly impressed b,
the kind pains the gentleman had taken t.
enllghten her curiosity, gracefully observed
that here the journey terminated, and turneC
towards her companions, to whom she wa
overheard saying: 81 mean to stop da.
or two in this place. This was not in tn,
tone OF asking favor, but rather of person
used to dictate The good man took up hi
vallse, the wife her band box, while she witt
abg ht hand basket trudged with them to
wards the gangway.
The young woman might not have hat
face formed to captivate every beholde
with ltsloveliness she might have possesse'
aihgure that was totally unnoticed by al
the other passengers except the gentleman
who had so condescendingly, spoken to her
but there was an indiscribable somethin.
about her that excited him to know more
Ills determination was instantly taken, an
with his little carpet bag he landed at tn
same moment The trio were stopped, a
customary at West Point, by the sentry o
DUTY, and directed to enter their names OH
slate which he presented for the purpose
h wherefore should our gentleman desire t
learn their names more particularly tina
those of more fashionable looking peopl
n gong through the same ceremony Thu
u was, however: but he observed notl
ing more inscribed than simply, "Mr. Will
hanson. wife and niece" The modest pa
yet their betters pass onward, following
amoderate distance; and when the gentle
man had scrawled Mr.. Anderson, as h
cosnomen, lie went in pursuit.