Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-18
ont. followed by the various missing

fell out. followed by the various missing
articles!
A general cry of indignation was raised
and a strong disposition was manifested
to lynch California Tom. But Mr.. Bald
win took upon himself the office of execu
toner. this time with good will.
II always felt it in my bones, that Johi
Merrill was innocent said he to Captain
Soule, land when it came to stripping hi:
shirt, / hadn't, anyhow, any heart to dc
it,"
I'm glad you didn't succeed in doing
it," was the reply. 81 couldn't have fog
ged him if he had been guilty-nor could
you. either"
How SO sir?'
"Do you think you could lay the cat on
the back of a woman"
That comical look of the captains was
reflected. nay multiplied, tenfold, IN the
rough face of the old mate.
"a swomanpn he gasped out. John
Merrill2n
Av, woman, Mr. Baldwin. Annie
Carroll is her name, now"
''But-what are you going to do with
him, sir Pr
"Do with him? With her, YOU mean
put him, or put her, or it ashore, of course,
as soon as ! can make port. We must
give her a stateroom, in the cabin, and
have her to wear such dress as belongs
to her SEX
well, we'll" said Mr.. Baldwin, re-
Elective; 'Inever had anything bring me
up with round turn like that"
Then bright idea seemed to have
struck him, and he demanded triumphant
ly.
Where's your clothes to dress her in -
'She's got all her dry goods in her
chest, ready to wear"
What In John Merill's chest, do
you mean ?"
.'Of course. Whose else should mean?
That's why he--she. | mean--always kept
it locked, and was so secret about it,
shall not spend time to tell how we
talked the matter over in the forecastle
that night, and compared notes, and went
back TO every little incident of the outward
passage, that might be supposed to have
any bearing upon this astounding discov-
cry.
of course, there were those ready to say
they had guessed the truth months ago;
but venture to say that no man on board
the Amphion had the slightest suspicion of
the truth, until it was revealed to Captain
Soule, as / have related. And how much
longer we might have been in the dark,
but for the a.temptt to fog her, it is diff
cult to say
John Merrill stood no more. watches on
board the Amphion, nor went to the mast
head But Annie Carroll. beautiful
young lady, save that she wore her hair
rather too much al gargon, sometimes
steered a trick at the wheel when she felt
in the humor, until our arrival at Callao,
where she became, when her story was
known, the heroine. the lioness of the
hour. A passage home was secured for
her; and she took leave of US all, with no
desire, as she confessed, to follow any
further the profession of a sailor.
It was the DID, old story. An orphan, a
harsh guardian, and an attempt to force her
into marriage with one she disliked. A
madcap scheme, in which she had embark
ed from maynard impulse, and persisted
in because she hardly knew how or when
to retreat. And we were constrained to
admit, when we reviewed all the circum-
stances, that she had nobly sustained the
double character, and had preserved all
the finer attributes of her sex, while she
laid aside the apparel.
And will it be wondered that she lost her
heart while on board the Amphion Not to
me: for, of course, was but a boy in her
eyes. But when last saw Merrill, he
was Mrs. Captain Wightman and still
claimed to be ii not the boldest seaman,
the best helmsman, at least, of the family
circle.