Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-08

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am in fhe riPAf, and he IN the ieronP, and here
the before sober face Of my Cousin Winnie,
warmed into roguish smile
Well Winnie / replied what is YOUR plant
let me hear IT, and doubt not it will be lust
what | shall be most happy TO lend my as.
sistanoe in
{ I am half afraid you will not, when YOU
come 60 hear, because Il will cause no slight
sacrifice TO your vanity, and know you think
a great deal OF appearing well, particularly to.
morrow evening; yet | wish you to prove
yourself sensible toondR, by appearing in full
costume, minus hoops a
For moment, almost felt as though must
refuse, as thought OF the effect of my beauu
lul new dress spoiled fer the want Of my
watch spring'--and then what would Mrs
Leroy and Der company think of mel saidi
why, Winnie, only think what figure we
shall make in those full, double skirts clinging
closely about US! They will be at least quar-
ter Of yard too long a
20 we'll, we can easily remedy that--for, BY
the way, long dresses come In for their full
share of Walters dislike--as the skirts are on
ly basted to the was.s. Wen have them lust
a little ridiculously shortp
Here was an argument that had some weight
with me, for | knew that my foot and ancle
were passable, and what lady does not like 10
show a decentlY pretty foot and ancle!
SO at last it was d, cidcd that we should at.
tend the party, minus "hoops," but how to man.
age this SO that Walter should not know il un.
I'll we had arrived at Mrs LeRoy S, was the
next question, and this we could not decide
Fortune, however seemed to favor our design,
for Walter came 10, saying he had had sudden
call TO leave the city aud should not return until
thenext evening, but he had orde ed a carriage to
call for us, andhe would meet us at Mrs. lie
Roy's.
His last words, on leaving home were: Mind,
Winnie, darling, and let me see Jou looking
your prettiest to night, aud you too, Cousin
Meb, for you know much depends upon first
appearauces,' and Frank Mowbray is in search
of a wife, He's little eccentric, but rich as
Clesus, and as good hearted a man as ever
lived, and my advice is, catch him fyou can!'
and we promised with deluure faces to try TO
look our very sweetest
AS looked at my reflection in the mirror,
after my evening toilet had been completed,
half regretted my choice.
Cousin Winnie, | called from the head of
the stairs, Il am almost ready TO say | will not
keep my promise. You have no idea what a
flight ann
o. yes have, Meb, was the laughing reply,
for am just now admiring the effect of my
recherche costume. Come down and let us put
the finishing touches to each others dress
did not comply readily, for was still dcba
ting in my mind what was best to he done; bnt
finally, my desire TO please Winnie, coupled
with my love for the ridiUulous conquered -
After enjoying hearty laugh at ea,h others
comlcal appearance, wa donned onr opera.
hoods and in ashort time were wbired away
TO the scene Of our evening adventures
o, it was amusing to see the sly mods and
/ 81 l.. IL
suppressed filters, that greeted us as we made
our way through the brilliantly lieh,ed parlors
t. present our compliments to Mrs Leroy -
Poor, dear lady, how she stared at us as WI
stood before herl For moment, she seemed
to have lost her easy self possession, but short
ly Tegained it, and cordially welcomed us,
though her face still wore q surprised, inqui
ring look Winnie felt it due to our hostess
TO explain, and she, with her wOman's tact, al
once cOmpTehended ali, and readily offered her
assistance
Half an hour had passed, not very pleasantly
TO me---for must be candid, and own that
felt anything but at easein my fancy costume
when Mr.. Walter Singleton and Mr. Frank
Mowbray,' were announced,
My heart was oil 10 futter, aud imagined
Cousin Winnie turned q shade paler, but she
llaughngly whispered. Courage Cousin Meb;
btul thoNBht Nhoio was hh tNiuVht uNhoi ~
her voice. "a
Stay Just here, said Mrs. Leroy, 80 thai
Mt Singleton need not catch glimpse of yor
urtil the right moment
Soon, Walter and his friend, Mr.. Mowbray
| made their way TO Mrs Lel&Oy, never dream
! ing that we two wefo elleotually screened from
! their view by the ample folds of her Skirts un
| til she stepped aside and there we were
! fitting tabeau Of 'Pharaoh's lean kine'-witl
our skirts cFnging closely to us Ladies, yot
can form no idea Of the ludicrousncss Of th
picture wo presented, unless you have seen
lady in full dress, minus 'crinoline,' surrounded
by crowd of ladies 'hooped' OF the extent o
the fashion l felt like mere shadow
speok, as stood there before Walter Singleton
and bis friend, Frank Mowbray land | knew
| Winnie felt the some though she met then
with apparent calmness This helped TO 70
store me 10 composurc, but as | advanced TO b'
presented to Frank kiowbrpy, you should have
seen Cousin Walters point blank look Of NOR
filtration and astonishment,as Frank Mowbray
with himself, took in the whole ludicrousDesi
Of our appearance.
'Winnie--Meb, what on earth do you mean
were the first words he addressed us, when sur
not to be overheard. el aa
,Why, arc we not looking sweetly = asked
Winnie, Ia serious, comic tone aud manner
Il am surc you can find no fault with the ar
ranqement Of our hair with the young japoni
ca buds peeping out from the alhery foliage
and then our gloves are the very incest Of 'Ai
exander' kid, trimmed with point lace ou
slippers are satin, our hose are slken, as YOU
will see If you will but take the plins TO look,
she continued, as she stretched out her dainty
little foot for inspection, proyokingly revealing
the shortness of her dress more fully
WINNIE Winnie, do net tantaize me- ex
claimed Walter, biting his lip.
'Tantnlize ueu = said Winnie, assuming
grieved look. Il should think it we're you tina
was tantalizingmo. You are vorY-yery un
reasonable, when Ihaye taken 80 much pains 4
please you and here my pretty cousin poute'
Just a little.
why Cousin Walter, said l, no longer con
tent TO remain a silent listener, what can yo'
menn am sure you Rre very unreasonable
when we took so much pains 20 dress becOm
ingly. thought you would certainly be do
lighted with us, IL no ono else was J. l
There, Meb, 90 away and be still was th'
piquant reply; you ami Winnie may he com
pany for each other, do not care 70 eseor
YOU As Welter said these words, we turne'
and saw that Mr.. Mowbray had been an unseel
listener to the whole Of our conversation, an'
/ taking advantage Of the amused expression
on his handsome fa5e, said "Ii-i 10 A
"Well, Il you will not be our escort, perhap
Mr. Mowbray will, tori am xuite sure there ar
nottwo ladies' in the room he could make hi
way through the crowd so readily and easil
With as Winnie and myself---ire three will no
occupy more space than one OF those 'hoope
ladies' ~ q Ayu.L JA.F f.
i Very true, Miss Burford,' was Mr. Nov
bray'B reply, 'and with pleasure accept you
q q .st Et,nI.t.. 20, s,,tt La.