The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-12-16
MISCELLANY,
A DAY IN PETTECOATs.
BY A MODEST MAN.

| YOU Aiust. MY happiness de-
ponds upon it. Here put on the thing
umbobs, and the what's his name.
And my friend Bob Stiles, held up be-
fore my hesitant gaze suit of female APP
parel,
His idea was that | should personate
bis lady love for one day, to prevent any
one from suspecting the truth-namelv,
that she joined him in runaway mar
rlage party-until ii should be too late
for interference; that is, until the minis
ter should have tied knot between them
that nothing but a special grant of leg
islature could unite.
This scheme was not actually SO absurd
as it appeared at first sight. Maggie Lee
was tall, queenly woman, with an al
most masculine air, and at that time, |
had very slight form, almost effeminate
80, IN fact, there was really but little diff
erence in that point Then | had light
hair, tolerably long, and q fair complexion.
Part my hair in the middle, put bonnet
on my head, and few pers.ns would have
suspected but | was really one of the
softer sex. These accessories also gave
me quite decided resemblance to Maggie
Lee, especially when, as in this case the
disguise was her own.
Then the day chosen for the match
was an suspicious one. Maggie's father
was to drive her to D, a small
village near where she lived, and there
she was to join sailing party down d
--riyer to the grove, three miles be-
low, from which the party was to return
in the evening in carriages.
Our plan was that should be in wal
ting in the village, and should go on the
boat with the sailing party, while Mag
gle after leaving her father, should ship
off with Bob Stiles, across the country.
Atlast, | got dressed, and presented
myself before Maggie Lee, blushing a
great deal, | believe, feeling very
much pinched about the waist, and with
an uncomfortable consciousness that my
-my-my shirt sleeves were too short,
or that they were found wanting alto
gether
Everything finished in the way Of tot
let-Bob Stiles took me into his light
wagon--d drove me over to D., by
a secluded route, and left me at the hotel
where the sailing party was to assemble
Several of the persons were already
there, and they greeted my cavalier cor
daily (every body knew Bob Stiles) ask
ing if he was going with them. He told
them be was not.
pressing business engagements, and
all that sort of thing. Deuced sorry l
can't though. I had just time to bring
Miss Lee over, and now I'm off. Mr..
Bimby this is Miss Lee. And he ratified
off a long string of brief introductions,
which convinced me that but few of the
company were acquainted with the young
lady was personating- very fortunate
thing for the preservation of my dis
guise.
Mr.. Bimby tall, legal man, with q
with hook nose, and eye-glass and puffy
hair,-seemed to be prepossesed with my
personeile, and l overheard him whisper
to Bob Stiles, as he went OUT
"Nice looking girl that Miss Lee"
ayes" answered Bob, with mischiev-
Gus look at me, ''she's nice girl, though
little go ahead sometimes. Keep a little
look out on her will you"-then lower
ing his voice. mot bad match for you
old fellow; she's rich"
SIS she?' said Mr. Bimbv, his interest
deepening.
"On my honor" replied Bob. "For-
ty thousand dollars is her own right
Day day e. and he was gone.
Maggie Lee-artful creature that she
was-had told her father that the sailing
party was to assemble at another hotel
and thither he had taken her. Having
business in D., be left her there, merely
saying that he would send the carriag'
for her at IL o'clock. She, like dutifu
daughter, kissed him, bid him goodbye
and before he had gone a hundred rods
took a seat in Bob Stiles light wagon
which had driven up to the back door a
old Lees carriage drove away from tn
front. and the old story of head-stron:
love and prejudiced age was enacted owe
again.
As for us of the picnic excursion, W
had delightful sail down the grove, bu