Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1849-12-26
STANTON VA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26 1919
A ROMANCE OF THE OCEAN.

Inc following facts relating to young American
glrl, think cannot out interest your readers espe-
caliy as they too well authenticated to admit of
doubt of their having taken place. in the manner
10 he mentioned
The American whale ship Washington, which
arrived here on the 18th inst, reports the whale
ship Christopher Mitchell a, Paa under the follow
ing circumstances: The NJ had touched at Paiia
Tor The purpose OF putting ashore letters for home
and again lett for the cruising ground but on the
second or third night out when the watch call
ed, one OF the crew discovered 10 be young
girl. instead of fair haired boy which created no
little excitement on board. and caused the Captain
10 pu,ybacl again 10 Pata To land his female sailor
to So, somelnare copgcnal way of earning a live
l,hcSl. than Using a tar bucset and narling spike
Her story before the American Consul, was as
follows:
She is a native Of Rochester New York, was
seduced like thousands OF others, from her home
by william who promised TO make her his lawful
wife, but who abandoned her in short time and
absconded to parts unknown. Returning To her pa
rental roof, she was met by her parents with bitter
scorn and driven from her home. Too proud to ask
assistance from strangers, and no, So far lost To viz
tue as to think of subSisng by the only means which
might now seem left To her. she put on male attire
and for two months earned her living by driving
horse on the canal. Tired Of this, she determined
to go TO sea-iirst engaged as cabin boy AT 81 per
month-but was told by the shipping master thai
she could make more by whaling voyage and CON
sequen,ly proceeded To Nantucket TO look for ship
IL was with some difficulty that she obtained berth
her youth and delicate appearance being much a.
gainst her. One of the ship-owners, at a place
where she applied Gan old quaker,) at las, became
SO much pleased with, as he expressed it, 'ihe good
face OF the boy" that he persuaded the Captain Of
the NJ. To take her on board She performed her
duty faithfully for the months previous To her
dscovery-never shrinking from going aloit, even
IN the worst weather, or the darkest night. She
also pulled her oar twice in pursuit cf whales but
the boat in which she belonged had never been fast
10 one Of the monsters, or perhaps her courage
might have failed her.
She was general favori,e on board, never mix
ing with the crew any more ihan was absolutely
necessary. Her quiet inollcnsive behaviour had also
very much prepossessed the Captain and his officers
in her favor. When summoned into the Captains
presence, Immediately after the discovery, she made
full and voluntary confession, whereupon she was
taken into the cabin, state room apart for her
and every attention shown her that could he ex
tended TO female on board ship. When landed at
Paita, the excitement and fatigue had somewhat
over powered her, but in two days she was
quite well, and much eated with the prospect of
soon reaching home in a vessel about To sail Only
once previous 10 her final discovery, did she run any
risk of being exposed but on the occasion alluded
10, by suddenly working IN 4 more bungling manner
she escaped detection. The cause of attention be-
ing drawn toward her on the above occasion, was
The qnickness with which she pied her needle
being more than match for the other sailors, in
that respect. The fact of her being on board and
doing her duty well cannot be doubted
Her name is Miss Ann johnson, and her age ia
years.-Polynesian of'.3ug. 25.