The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-11-14

"Msy sit here?" he asked, pointing t
low stool near me.
"Csrtainly," simpered, in my high fa
setto.
"Ah, thank you," said Bimby-with
lackadaisical air, which nauseated me, q
coming from one man to another you ar
. as kind as you are fascinating!"
"You fatter mel"
"Is No, indeedj praise Of you cannot b
flattery, Miss Lee"
"Oh, sir, really, you are very naught.
man." said, in the most feminine tone
could command.
I ~ Vi Ga is3lA Issl "a, "a .,, -
for bis feelings"
We soon arrived at the grove, and fount
on. band-engaged misunderstanding
US. Ofcourse, dancing was the first amuse
ment, and lawyer Bimby led me out for 4
schottische. 1t was hard at first, for me t,
take the lady's part in my dance, but soor
got accustomed to it. When q waltz wa
proposed, resolved to have a little amuse
ment at the expense of the unfortunate BIN
by.
had first made him properly jealou.
by dancing with two other young fellows
one Of whom knew, in my own character,
! This young man, who was q great woman
kiler-a sort Of easy, devil-may care rascal
who made the ladies run after him, by his
alternate wrath Of action and GOODNESS o
protestation-I selected TO play off" az 81
my legal sdmirer. l allowed him to hold
me very closely, and occasionally looked at
him with 4 half fascinating expression
| When We stopped dancing, he led me to
/ my seat, keeping his arm about my waist,
and permitted it.
! Having thus stirred Bimby up to feats oi
{ wrathful valor, | asked one eff the gentle
/ men to direct the musicians to play q waltz.
/ Bimby came Immediately.
"Ahem-a Miss Lee, shall Ia, have the
pleasure of-a-trying a waltz with you;"
smiled gracious acquiescence, and We
commenced.
Now, | am an old stager at waltzing.
can keep it up longer than any non-proiess-
ional dancer, male or female, whom | ever
met. As long the Cachucha or Schon-
nebrunua ring IN my ears, | can 60 on, If it
Is for year.
Not SO Blmby. He plead want of pract-
ice, and Acknowledged that he soon got diz-
zy.
Aha, old boy" thought |. "I'll give you
a turn, them"
But only smiled and said that should
probably get tired first.
"Oh yesy" he exclaimed, of course;
can waltz as long as any one lady, but not
much more"
For the first three minutes, my cavalier
did well. He went smoothly and evenly,
out at the expiration of that time, began 10
grow warm Five minutes elapsed, and
Bimby's breath came harder and harder
IA | 70 IN
tce his sakeuing up at every round, when
we passed my seat After some ten or
twelve minutes, the wrstched man gasped
out between his steps,
"Ah, a-are you not-get-getting tired:"
"Oh, no! :" burs; forth, as coolly As If
we were riding round the room" Oh no,
feel as if ] could waltz all night"
The look Of despair that lie gave was ter
ribie TO see.
Twas bound to see him through, however
and we kept at IL Bimby staggered, and
made wild steps in all directions. His shirt
collar wilted, his eyes protruded, his jaw
hung down and, altogether, saw he could
not old up much longer.
This is delightful" | said composedy,
and you, Mr.. Bimby, waltz 50 easily
"Putf-puff-ah puH-yes-p puif-very-
putf-de-Ilg Ilghtlul," gasped he"
Don't You think it ought % go little
faster"
He rolled his eyes heavenward in agony.
All, puff-pGf-i don .-ah-putf-
don't know
So, when We neared the musicians, | said,
Faster, if you please-faster," and they
played Ia whirlwind.
Poor Bmby threw his feet about like a
fast PAGER, and revolved after the manner of
testotum which had nearly run down. At
last he staggered a step backwards, and
spinning eccentrically away from me, pitch
ed headong into the midst Of . small bevy
of ladies in a corner. | turned around cool
ly, and walking to my seat, sent the young
wolnan-killer for glass of ice water
The miserable lawyer recovered his senses
Just in time to see me thank his rival for the
water.
got some idea, from this, of the fun
young ladies find in tormenting US poor de-
wills Of the other sex.
At this juncture, and before Mr.. Bimby
had time to apologize for his accident, little
Jennie came running into the pavilion which
served as ball room. As she came near, l
perceived that her hands were clutched
tightly in her dress, and | positively shud-
dered, as she whispered to me.
sob, Maggie! come and help me fix my
skirts-they are all coming dewn!"
What should do? | was in agony.
cold perspiration broke out upon my fore
head. wished myself = thousand miles
away, and mathematical Bob Styles mas
querading project inwardly, with fearful ma
ledictionS.
said was tired out-could not somebo-
dy else go?
No, nothing would do, but must accom-
papy her to the house of a gentleman who
owned the grove, and assist her to arrange
her clothing.
So went.
What if it should be necessary to remove
the greater part of her rament! What if
she should tell me to do some sewing?-
What, if in the midst of all the embarrass-
ment of being closeted with beautiful girl
of seventeen, in state of comparative free
dom from drapery, my real sex and identity
should be discovered by her2
felt as il an apopectic tit would be
fortunate occurrence for me, just then.
However, | nerved myself up for the task,
and accompanied Jennie to the house desig-
mated. An old lady showed us into her
chamber, and Jennie, heaving sigh OF re-
lief let 60 her dress. As she did SO, a-par-
don my bushes IA pettieoat fell to the
floor. She was about to proceed, but
alarmed her by sudden and vehement ges-
ture.
"Stop !" cried frantically, and forgetting
my false,to; "stop! don't-don't undrsss,
for Gods sake!"
She opened her great brown eyes to their
widest extent.
"An, why not?"
because 1 AMI am-a-can you keep
q secret?"
"Why yes-how frightened you look!-
WHY what is the matter-Maggie! e!-you-
why-oh oh !! ! oh I! J"
And she gave three fearful screams.
"Hush, no noise, or l am lost" l ex.
claimed, putting my hand over her mouth: