New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1861-05-03
A Day in Petticoats.
BY A MODEST MAN.

i Couldn't think OF such thing
But you must. My happiness de-
pends on it. Here, put on the thing.
umbobs, and the what's-his-name.'
And my friend Bob Styles, held up
before my hesitant gaze suit Of f.
male apparel. r.s 'aa
His idea was that I should person
ate his lady love for one day, to pre-.
vent any one from suspecting the truth
namely, that she had Joined him in
"a runaway marriage party-until j,
should be to late for interference; that
8, until the minister should have tied
q knot between them, that nothing
but special grant Of Legislature could
unite. e.. .-n.- .... ...s q
This scheme was not actually so alb.
surd as it appeared at first sight. Mag.
gle Lee was tall. queenly woman,
with an almost masculine air, and at
that time I had very slight form,
effeminate, that, in fact, there was
really but little difference in that point.
Then I 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 I was really one of the
softer sex.--Those accessories also
gave me quite decided resemblance
to Maggie Lee, especially when, as in
this case, the disguise was her own.
Then the day chosen for the match
was an suspicious one. Maggie's faith,
er was to drive her to D a small
village near where she lived, and there
she was to join sailing party down D
liver to the grove, three miles
below, from which the party was to
return in the evening in carriages.
Our plan was, that I should be in
waiting in the village, and should go on
the boat with the sailing party, while
Maggie, after leaving her father,
should clip off with Bob Styles, across
the country. s.e .... .. -a
At last. I got dressed, and presen-
ted myself before Maggie Lee, blush
ing great deal. l believe, feeling
very much pinched about the waist;
and with an uncomfortable consciousness
that my-my-my shirt sleeves were
too short, or wanting altogether.
Everything finished, in the way of
toilet-Bob Styles took me into his
light wagon-drove me over to D,
by a secluded route, and left me at the
hotel, where the sailing party was to
assemble. Several of the picnicers
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. Deu-
ced sorry, l can't though. I had just
time to bring Miss Lee over, and now
I'm off.-Mr. Binby this is Miss Lee.
Miss Withergall, Miss Lee,' and he
ratified off a string of brief introductions,
which convinced me that the company
were not acquainted with the yoang
lady whom l was personating-a very
fortunate thing for the preservation Of
my disguise.
Mr.. Bimby, tall-looking man. with
a hook nose, and eye-glass and puffy
hair, seemed to be preposessed with my
personelle, and I heard him whisper to
Bob Styles, as he went OUT
Mice looking girl, that MISS Lee.'
sYes,' answered Bob with mischisv-
Gus glance at me, she is nice girl,
tho little go-head sometimes. Keep
little lookout ON her, will you'-then
lowering his volce-'not bad match for
you, old fellow; she is rich
is she?' said Mr.. Bimby, his inter
est deepening.
On my honor! replied Bob. Forty
thousand dollars in her own right
Day-day! and he was gone.
Maggie Lee, artful creature that she