Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-11-25


We're riding round the room. ssOh, no, feel
as if l could waltz all night!''
The look of despair that he gave was terri
BILE to see. was bound to see him out, how
ever, and We kept at it. Bimby staggered and
made wild steps in all directions. His collar
wilted, his eyes protruded, his jaw hung down
and saw he could not hold out much longer.
s'This is delightful said composedly,
ssand you, Mr.. Bimby. waltz so easily 10
'sAh, -puf-yes-oh-p puf-very de-
lightfu,' gasped he.
''Don't you think we ought to 60 little
faster 2''
He rolled his eyes heavenward in agony.
So, when we neared the musicians, / said,
'sFaster, if you please and they played, ia
whirlwind.
| Poor Bimby threw his feet about like fast
PAGER, and revolved after the manner of tee
totum which was nearly run down. At last he
staggered a step backwards, and spinning &C.
centrically away from me, pitched headlong
into beyy Of ladies in corner. / turned a
| round coolly, and walking to my seat, sent the
young-woman killer for glass of ice-water.
| The miserable lawyer recovered his senses just
| in time to see me thank his rival for the glass
| of water. got some idea from this, of the
fun young ladies find in tormenting us poor
| fellows of the other sex.
| At this juncture, and before Mr.. Bimby had
time to apologize for his accident, little Jen-
ME came running into the room. AS she came
near, perceived that her hands were clutched
tightly in her dress, and positively shudder-
ed, as she whispered to me =
ssOh, Maggie, come and help me fix my
skirts-they are all coming down!''
| L S id 1 was tired-could not somebody
else go7
No, nothing would do but must accompa-
| ny her to the house of gentleman who owned
the grove, and assist in arranging her clothing.
So went.
What if it should be necessary to remove
the greater part Of her raiment What if in
the midst of all the embarrassment of being
closeted with beautiful girl of seventeen, in
a state of comparative freedom from drapery,
my real sex and identity should be discovered
by her. l felt as if an apoplectic fit would be
| fortunate occurrence to me just then. How
ever, nerved myself for the task, and accom-
| panied Jennie to the house designated. An
old lady showed Us into her chamber, and Jen-
| ME, heaving sigh of relief let go her dress.
As she did so, a-pardon my blushes-a skirt
fell to the floor. She was about to proceed,
but alarmed her by sudden and vehement
| gesture.
"Stop," I cried frantieally, forgetting my
falsetto; ssdon't undress, for Gods sake"
.sAnd why not ?''
ssBecause l am-can you keep a secret 20
ssWhy yes, how frightened you look. Why,
what's the matter. Maggie? You-you-why
oh obi! oh! - And she gave three
fearful screams.
ssHush, no noise, or I am lost - exclaimed
1, putting my hand over her mouth. ssI mean
you no harm.''
She was all of a tremble, poor little thing,
but she saw the force of my argument.
ssOh, sir,' she said, ssI see You are man,
but what does it all meant Why did you
dress so !''
told her the story as briefly as possible.
and exacted from her a promise of the most
sacred secrecy. / then went out of the door
and waited till she had arranged her dress,
when she called me in again. She had heard
of me from Maggie and others, and wanted to
hear all the particulars; so L sat down by her,
and we had long talk. which ended in a mu-
tual feeling of friendliness and old acquain-
tanceship, quite wonderful for people meeting
for the first time. Just we started to go
back to the Pavilion, / said l must relieve my
mind of one more burden.
ssAnd what is that !'' she asked.
ssThose kisses. You thought that I was
Maggie Lee, or you would not have given
them. suppose that must give them back -
And 1 did. She blushed good deal, and
, glsncing up timidly, only said:
81 think you real naughty, anyhow"
When we returned l found lawyer Bimby
quite recovered from his dizziness, and ali
hands ready for supper, which was served in
the ball room. sat between Bmby and Jen-
5 ME, and made love to both of them in turn
to one as Maggie Lee, and to the other my
self. After supper, at which astonished sew
eral by eating rather more heartily than young
ladies' generally do, we had more dancing, and
limited pretty strongly TO Mr.. Bimby that L
should like to try another waltz.
He didn't take the hint
Finding it rather dry amusement to dance
with my own kind, l soon abated that plea
sure, and persuaded Jennie to stroll Off into
the moonlight with me. We found the grove
a charming place, full of picturesque little
corners, and rustic seats, and great gray rocks
leaning out over the river. On one of these
latter, little bench was placed, in nook
, sheltered from wind and from sight. Here we
sat down, in the full flood of the moonlight,
and having just eaten heartily, felt wonder
fully in reed of cigar. Accordingly went