Lamoille Newsdealer

A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.

A correspondent of the Boston Traveler
writing from Mauritius, Isle of France,
relates the following:

A very singular case has just come to
light here, a brief account of which may
not be devoid of interest. Perhaps it
may afford the extreme advocates of Wo-
man's Rights another argument for the
favorite doctrine. For the sake of all
parties, and especially for that of the
young woman, all names are suppressed
but of the facts, so far as they have oc-
curred here, the writer is cognizant.
An American vessel put into this port
for supplies. Immediately after dropping
anchor, the captain repaired to the consul
and informed that officer that he had a
woman on board his ship of whom he
wished to be rid. He stated, and in this
respect the testimony of the young woman
coincided with his, that about nine months
ago, and before the ship left America,
there shipped on board her, to all appear-
ance, a tall, over-grown boy of about 18
years. For four months this pretended
boy did a sailor's duty without exciting
any suspicion. Then, in some trouble
which occurred, she confessed herself a
woman, to the astonishment of all on
board the ship. But incredible as the
statement seems, it is true. The captain
did for her all, and more than all that
could be expected of him under the cir-
cumstances. Indeed she expressed great
gratitude to the captain for his kind, con-
siderate and gentlemanly treatment of her
after the discovery of her sex: and there
are abundant reasons for believing that he
did indeed bear himself toward her in a
very honorable and manly manner. For
when he left her here, the tears started in
her eyes as she took his hand and express-
ed her sorrow for what she had done, and
her determination henceforth to be a wo-
man.
This was the first port made after it
was known that a woman was on board
the ship—and here she was placed under
the care of the consul, who provided for
her immediate wants and has secured her
a situation in which she can provide for
herself.
From her own statement it seems she
has been a soldier as well as a sailor.
Her story in brief is this: She married
a man who was attached to another woman
but was over-persuaded by his friends
to marry her. Soon after his indifference
to her became painfully manifest. Her
father was a cavalry officer; and with his
knowledge, if not consent, she donned a
man's attire, and enlisted in his corps
and served under his immediate command
for many long months. At the battle of
Fair Oaks her father was killed. Soon
after, having been detailed to proceed to
New York on some duty, she took the op-
portunity to leave the army; and seeing
an advertisement for seamen as she walk-
ed the street, suddenly and unaccountably
determined to try her luck at catching
whales. The result has already been de-
scribed.
A large-hearted American shipmaster,
after having thoroughly informed himself
of the circumstances, and after repeated
interviews with the young woman, finally
concluded to ship her as stewardess of the
vessel. A number of generous-spirited
American residents have made up a purse
for her outfit, and she has gone on her way
rejoicing, and in due time will probably
find her way back to her country and
friends. Who will say that the age of
romance has passed?