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

=
ing for my ticket, and purchasing enough or
anges, pears and candies to set up street
stand. Four or five times was on the point
of swearing at his impudent officiousness, but
bit my tongue just in time TO prevent the ex-
posure. But it was not with him that found
my role the hardest to play.
No; the Young ladies were the difficult ones
to deceive. For instance, there was one a.
mong them, beautiful girl of seventeen, just
returned from boarding school, who had not
seen Maggie Lee for three years. OF course
she was delighted with me, when she found
out that was Maggie, which by the way did
not occur until after We had started. She
threw herself into my arms, pulled my veil a
side, and kissed a half-dozen times, in
manner that made my finger ends tingle for
half an hour. 1t was all very nice, but if l had
been s'propria personae,' | would have liked
it better. As it was, felt as though 1 was
:'obtaining goods under false colors,'' and that
lawyer Bimby might issue a warrant for my
arrest on that ground at any moment.
a whole knot of crinoline then surrounded
me, on the upper deck of the boat to the utter
exclusion and consequent disgust Of Mr.. Bim-
by and other gentlemen.
The river breeze was very fresh where we
sat, and 1 noticed that several of the ladies
were glancing uneasily at me. ! couldn't di-
vine the reason, until Jennie, my little friend
from the boarding school, laid her face danger
ousIy close to mine, and whispered: ssMy dear
Maggie, your dress is blowing up terribly high
your ancles will be the town talk with the
gentlemen"
Nor was l conscious of having very small
foot for man, and had donned pair of open
work stockings which came up nearly to my
waist, with pair of CATERS borrowed from the
servant girl, in all of which toggery my run
ming gear looked quite respectable but the
idea of the gentlemen talking about my ancles,
and of being cautioned thus by young girl,
who would have been frightened to death if
had told the same yesterday was too much for
me. / burst into a sort Jf strangulated laugh.
which l could only check by swallowing half
of my little filagree handkerchief. The young
ladies all looked at me in apparent astonish-
ment, and | wanted to laugh all the more.
Fortunately Mr.. Bimby came to nay rescue at
the moment, and edged himself in among the
crinoline.
.sMay sit here ?'' he asked, pointing to a
low stool near me.
"Certanly.'' simpered in my high falsetto.
ssAh, thank you,y said Bimby-with a lack
adaisal air, which nauseated me, as coming
from one man to another-esyou are as kind
as you are fascinating"
s.You fattcT me -
81 no indeed, praise OF you cannot be fiat
terry, Miss Lee
ssOh, sir, you are really very naughty said
in the most feminine tone could command
He cast languishing glance at me, and
fairly began to fear for his feelings.
eve soon arrived at the grove, and found
| our band-engaged Notwithstanding us
| OF course dancing the first amusement.
aud lawyer Bimby led me out for schottishe
| 1t was hard for me to take the lady's part in 9
| dance, but | soon got accustomed to it. When
waltz was proposed, resolved to have lit
| tie amusement at the expense Of the nnfortu
nate Bimby.
had first made him properly jealous, by
dancing with two or three other yonnS fellows
| one of which knew in my own character, bat
| who never suspected me as Maggie Lee. Thi:
| young mana great woman killer-a sort Of
easy dcvil-me-care rascal,who made the iadie:
run after him, by his alternate wrath of actor
and GOODNESS of prostration-l selected to play
OFF against my legal admirer. 1 allowed hin
TO hold me very closely, and occasionally look
ed At him with Notwithstanding expression
When We stopped dancing, he led me to my
seat keeping his arm about my waist, and
permitted it. Having thus stirred Bimby NJ
to feats of wrathful valor, L asked one of th'
gentlemen to direct the musicians to play ;
waltz. Bimby came Immediately.
s.Ahem-a Miss Lee, shall have the homo
of-a-a trying a waltz with you -
/ smiled a gracious acquieScence, and W.
| commenced.
Now, l am an old stag at waltzing Cal
keep it up longer than any non-professlona
dancer, male or female, that L ever met. A
long as the Schonnebrunuen ring in my ears
can go on if it is for year.
Not so Bimby. He plead want of practice
and he acknowledged that he soon got dizzy
ssAha, old boy, thought I, I'll give you
turn then 20
But 1 only smiled and said 'sthat shoui'
get tired first
s.Oh. yes,' he exclaimed, .sof course, L ca
waltz as long as any one young lady, but no
much more"
For the first three minutes my cavalier dit
| uau He went smoothly and evenly, but
.ho s1n;rarion of that time began to gro'
Five minutes elapsed, and Bimby
a breath came harder and faster. on We "eh'
I, however, and scorned to notice his slaeken
e inc M at every round as we passed my sea-
I - .or,e ten or twelve minutes, the wresch