1855 - Amusing Incident

The Caledonian relates an amusing incident that occurred at the Island Pond, Vt. Passenger House, on the 31st inst. - Among the passengers on the Montreal train, was an extremely large personage in the shape of a female. Her head and shoulders, the Caledonian says, were covered with a large old-fashioned shawl fastened under the chin, while from underneath the shawl hung a large mass of uncombed black hair, completely covering the upper part of her face. On her left arm she carried a satchel somewhat the worse for wear, while with her right hand she was vainly endeavoring to keep a faded calico dress of magnificent dimensions from dragging upon the platform; a more uncouth figure could not well be imagined. After causing a great deal of merriment, she asked if she was in the States. On being answered in the affirmative she said she would take the liberty of divesting herself of a portion of her clothes, which she accordingly did to the, probably, no little astonishment of the amused spectators. The old woman proved to be a deserter from Her Britanic Majesty's service, and had assumed this disguise to make good his escape, which it seems was successful.