The Russellville Democrat., 1891-05-21
A STRANGE PASSENGER.


 When my packet ship, the Hermione was preparing to sail from Liverpool fol New York was warned to take pre- cautions against receiving as passenger certain Mary Youngson, who, while nursing her sick husbands man con siderably her senior--had poisoned him to death, laid hold of all the money and valuables she could get and then had made of. It was thought that sht would try to leave England on some out ward bound ship-most likely for Amer ica, where she had friends--and there fore l sharply scrutinized the passen gers, eight in nnumber, who were brought of to my vessel in tender. As they stepped aboard was relieved to perceive that none of them tallied with the description had obtained oi Miss Youngson, who, was told, was . beautiful woman, over thirty-five year. of age, about feet 6 inches in height and very slender, with brown hair, dari eyes and clear complexion. She had been born and educated abroad, but hel father had been an Englishman and au amateur actor, from whom she had in herited a remarkable capacity for de ceiving people as to her character. Two of the female passengers who now came aboard were married ladies and of dark complexion. There were also two young women of about twenty one one Miss Lorton, plain and stout; the other, Miss Merwin, slender and tall, apparently not less than feet ( inches, with the most childish, innocent looking face, for one of her age, that ever saw. She had brown hair and eyes small, babylike features, and smooth, glowing cheeks, which were constantly dimpled with smiles. As she slightly lifted her long skirt we saw that instead of shoes or boots she wore ornamented buslins of some kind of soft leather, which made no noise when she walked. Afterward we heard that she wore them because she had lately sprained her feet and could not yet bear harder leather.
 From the first 1 could see that my son Tom, 8 young man of twenty-five, and chief officer, was greatly impressed by this girl.
 He had always liked tall women. and anything "babyish" in their looks or manners particularly pleased him. Still, was surprised at the end of one short week after we sailed to learn that he had actually proposed to her and been accepted.
 "She is so artless, so ingenious, so free from guile of any kind" said he, "that you can read her heart at once! We are to be married on coming back to Liverpool at the house of her aunt. who is expecting her. With her usual childish frankness she informed me that, although having a small fortune in three per cents. left to her by her father, who was merchant, she is at present short of cash which would hinder her from purchasing, on landing, certain little articles she desired toward wedding outfit. was so touched by her shy, in- fantile way, blended with timid distress at having to tell me this. that at once went to my room and procured the $5,000 United States bond, which you know lately bought with my savings, and gave it to her, telling her where she could get it cashed, and bade her then take out of it whatever she needed
 "Why, Tom. you don't say so?" Icried. rather startled.
 "Of course," he answered. "Why not7 We are engaged, and it ought to be the same about money matters as if we were married"
 He went below, and sat long in the clear moonlight, thinking it over in as g nasty, foolish piece of business, when suddenly was startled by the cry of the lookout forward.
 'Sail, hoI right ahead"
 The strangers large ship--put her helm a-port, so l had no doubt she would pass us safely enough; but as she was going by, her helmsman raising his wheel too soon, her bow swung of, and her jibboom caught under my spanker sheet, lifting the spar and snapping it of with crash.
 There was noise and confusion as we worked briskly to keep the two vessels apart and prevent further damage. in the midst of which several of the passen- gers came running up, somewhat fright ened, to find out what the matter was.
 Ut is nothing; we are all right now!" cried, to reassure them, as the other ship swung clear of us.
 Miss Merwin had emerged from the companionway after the others, and as looked toward her form, distinctly re- vealed by the moonlight and one of the lanterns, 1 stood stock still in the utmost astonishment, for, as true as 1 am liv- ing man, her stature now seemed at least three inches shorter than had hitherto seen it.
 Twas the only one who noticed her at that time, and on meeting my gaze she drew back as quick as flash and van ished in the cabin.
 The strange phenomenon 1 had wit messed for a moment almost took away my breath. My whole mind was fixed upon this one thing. and when my son came up few hours later to take the deck described the singular change l had noticed in Miss Merwin's stature.
 He stared at me at first as if he thought me mad, then broke out into an incredu- lous laugh, saying that my eyes or the imperfect light must have deceived me.
 l knew better, however; but finding could not convince him told him to wait until the young lady should appear at breakfast in the morning, when he might see for himself.
 Two hours later the second mate came up to relieve Tom, who then went be- low. The officer, seeing me seated in a reverie on the quarter deck. walked amidships, where he stood looking care lessly forward.