The Seattle Post Intelligencer

INCOGNITO.

The arrest of two Chinese women at Tacoma by Customs Inspectors Poor and Swerdsger, promises extraordinary revelations. The inspectors noticed two objects like squaws preparing to board the Portland train, and their peculiar gait struck the officials. The copper complexion of the women was hidden by veils. As they had previously received notice that two Chinese women attired in men's clothes were going to attempt a landing, the inspectors, acting according to their original suspicions, lost no time in getting aboard the train and gallantly raising the veils of the ladies who were discovered to be youthful and pretty, nevertheless Mongolian. Their make-up, to use a theatrical expression, was very well gotten up to mislead. Of course, they were arrested under the exclusion act and conveyed to this city upon the evening steamer. They said they had "come from Seattle" when arrested. It is believed that they were landed on the Sound from a small boat near Port Townsend, whence they made their way to Tacoma by stolen marches, and possibly by a liberal use of their wooden shoes, until they felt quite assured of the success of their make-up as Indian maidens. It is not doubted that they were smuggled from Victoria by some Chinaman for base purposes, as the Chinese merchants will frequently give as high as $2000 for a winsome lass of their own nativity. They were placed, despondent and in tears, in the custody of United States Marshal Hamilton last night, and a hearing will be had before United States Commissioner Emery to-day. The girls are really ignorant of the English language, or they feign it, so their names could not be learned. No doubt they were on their way to the East as consigned goods to some Eastern Chinese purchaser, or they might have been en route to some highbinder of San Francisco.