Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-01-23

ARREST OF RUNAWAY GIRL IN MALE
ATTIRE.-About three weeks ago, girl
ID years of age, named Eliza Ann Pea
cock or Smithers, as she occasionally Y call
ed herself, suddenly disappeared from
the home Of q family who had adopted
her living in Philadelphia, and for some
time their efforts to ascertain whittier she
had gone were fruitless. Recently, how
ever, she was traced to this city, and ad-
yertiSements were inserted i'm several of
the papers. announcing her sudden dis
appearance, and offering reward of S25
for her apprehension. From information
recently received at the Chiefs Office.
Officer Worley yesterday succeeded in
discovering and arresting the truant.-
She was found in the hosiery store of
Richard Venables, No. l32 Canal street,
dressed in male attire, and doing CLERK S
duty behind the counter at a salary OF
$3.50 per week. Her dress was neat,
and she looked like smart active. boy,
and Mr.. V. felt well satisfied with the
manner in which she waited upon his Gus
toners. Her hair was clipped short, and
her whole appearance so completely dis
gulsed her sex that no one even suspected
her. She passed under the name Of Ed
ward Murray. Previous to engaging with
Mr.. Eenables she applied to Mr.. Everdell,
No. 3O2 Broadway, for situation as clerk.
She had no letter of recommendation, and
Mr.. f. declined engaging her withou,
one. A Cay or two afterwards she called
again, with the following letter, purport-
ing to have been written by her mother,
which was found in her pocket at the time
of her arrest. This letter was probably
written either herself or some friend. 1t
reads as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. Z. 1854.
MIR. EyERDELL: In compliance with
the request of my son, l address this note
to you, and in answer to your question
as to his character, / have affixed short
history Of his life. He was boz. in New
port, r. l., where he remained till four
or five years old. Since that time we
have been travelling nearly all the time
till within the last five years, During
this time he has been educated principally
by me: during our stay at Philadelphia
he has been attending school at Market
street, till within the last year, during
which time he has been assisting me
about the house, and | think may safely
say that he can iron, sew and cook as
well as any girl of bis G. My husband
was a minister, but being unable TO get
along well, he few years since took to
drinking, which made matters still worse.
Since that timeI have endeavored by en-
broidery to support the family, but my
health is continually failing, and not long
since Edward said to me Mother,
will so to New York and see if can get
a place, for am old enough to do some
thing, and then you can live easier" ]
acquiesced, for l knew something must
be done, and | thought be was old enough |
20 seek employ As fer bis charac-
ter, think you would not soon find one
to serve you as honestly, faithfully and
truly for some time, and I feel quite sure
that eyes less partial than a mothers
would say the same.
Yours truly, s. MURRAY.
N. B.-Hearing that a neighbor of
yours was going to New York, intruSt-
ed the letter In his charge.
When coming to this city she brought |
with her small and pretty black terrier,
and on being requested to return to Phil
adelphia in charge of an officer, she re-
fused to 60 without this dog, which was
at house in Fourth street. Yesterday |
afternoon telegraphic dispatch from
Philadelphia was received requesting hel
to be detained at the Chief office until
person, who should lie sent on by her
parents, should arrive and take her home,
and to-day she and her dog will probably |
Y. Tribune.
A YEAR OF WRECKs.-The past year
has been one of unusual calamity on the
sea. The New York Times publishes a
list of all the vessels lost during the
800. Co, l-nou-, %nro&h,c NTH /