Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-02-01
A DAY IN PETTICOATs.
BY A MODEST MAN.

ADAY IN PET1TCOATs.
BY A MODEST MAN.
| ~ couldn't think of such thing"
"But you must. Ny happiness depends
on it. Here, put on the thingumbobs, and
the what's his name."
| And my friend Bob Styles, held up before
my hesitant gaze a suit of female apparel
| His idea was that should personate his
lady love for one day, to prevent any one
| from suspecting the truth---namely, that she
had joined him in runaway marriage party
until it should be too late for interference ;
that is, until the minister should have tied q
knot between them, that nothing but spec
ial grant Of Legislature could unite.
| This scheme was not actually so absurd
as it appeared at first sight. Maggie Lee
was tall, queenly woman, with an almost
| masculine air, and at that time had a very
slight form, almost effeminate, that in fact,
there was really but little difference in that
point. Then had light hair, tolerably long.
and fair complexion. Part my hair in the
| middle, and put bonnet on my head, and
few persons would have suspected but was
really one of the softer sex. Those accessor-
les also gave me quite decided resemblance
to Maggie Lee, especially when, as in this
case, the disguise was her own. I'D
Then the day chosen for the match was an
auspicious one. Maggie's father was to drive
her to D., small village near where
she lived, and there she was to join sailing
party down D river to the grove.
three miles below, from which the party was
to return in the evening in carriages.
Our plan was, that should be in waiting
in the village, and should go on the boat with
the sailing party, while Maggie, after leaving
her father, should slip off with Bob Styles,
across the country.
At last, got dressed, and presented N.Y.
self before Maggie Lee, blushing a great deal.
believe, feeling very much pinched about
the waist, and with an uncomfortable con-
seriousness that my-my-my shirt sleeves
were too shor:., or wanting altogether.
Everything finished, in the way of toilet
Bob Styles took me into his light wagon
drove me over to D, by secluded
route, and left me at the hotel, where the
sailing party was to assemble. Several of
the picniccrs were already there, and they
greeted my cavalier cordially, (everybody
knew Bob Styles,) asked if he was going
with them, etc. He told them he was not
Pressing business engagements, YOU
know, and all that sort of thing. Deuced
sorry, I can't 60 though. had just time to
bring Miss Lee over, and now I'm off. Mr..
Bimby this is Miss Lee. Miss Witherpall.
Miss Lee" and he ratified off long string of
brief efintroductions, which convinced me that
but few Of the company were acquainted
with the young lady whom l was persona
ting-a very fortunate thing for the prescr-
vation Of my disguise.
Mr.. Bimby, tall, legal-looking man, with
a hook nose, and eyc-glass and puffy hair,
seemed to be prepossessed with my person.
ellie, and overheard him whisper to Bob
Styles, as he went OUT
) " Nice looking girl, that Miss Lee"
Yes" answered Bob, with mischiev-
Gus glance at me, "she is nice girl. tho a
little go-ahead sometimes. Keep little look
out on her, will you"--then lowering his
voice-''not a bad match for you, old fellow
she is rich" 68
is shey'' said Mr.. Bimby, his interest
deepening.
"On my honor" replied Bob. sForty
thousand dollars in her own right. Day.
day ~ 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 thith-
er he had taken her. Having business in D..
he left her there, merely saying that he
would send the carriage for her at ii o'clock.
She. like dutiful daughter, kissed him, bid
him good-by, and before he had gone hun
dred rods, took a seat in Bob Styles light
wagon, which had driven up to the back door
as old Lees carriage drove away from the
front, and the old story of head strong lore
and prejudiced age was enacted over again.
As for us of the picnic excursion. we had
delightful sail down the grove, but some
how could not enjoy it as much as ought
to haye done. When walked on board the
boat felt, awkward, as il everybody was
looking at me. found Mr.. Biniby. as had
suspected. young and rising lawyer, nigh
ty in Blackstone, in his own opinion. He
insisted on paying for my ticket 1.-THE boat
was q regular excursion packet,) and pur-
chasing enough oranges, pears and candies.
to set UP : street stand. Four or five times
was on the point of swearing at his inbu-
dent ofiiciousness, but bit my tongue Just in
time to prevent the exposure. But it was
not with him that found my role the hard.
est TO play.
No the young ladies were the difficult
ones to deceive. For instance, there Vas one
among them, beautiful girl of sevsntsoo.
just returned from boarding school, who had
not seen Maggie Lee for three years. Of|
course, she was delighted to see me, when
she found ont that was Maggie, which, b.