The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-05-25
NO. lS.

1 L
The look of despair that be gave was
terrible to see.
I was bound to see him through, how.
ever, and we kept at it. Bimby staggered
and made wild steps in all directions
His shirt collar wilted, his eyes protruded,
his jaw hung down; and, altogether, 1
saw ne could not hold out much longer.
"This is delightful" said ], "and you
Mr.. Bimby, waltz SO easily VI"
"Puf-puff-ah-puff--ye yes-sh-
puf-very-puf-delightfnl,"h !" he gasped.
"Don't you think it ought to go little
faster 7"
He rolled his eyes hsavsnward ia ago.
"Ah, puf-puff-I don't-ah-puf-
don't know"
So when We neared the musicians,
said:
"Fastef if you please-faster," and
they played Ia whirlwind.
Poor Bimby threw his feet about like
fast PAGER, and revolved after the manner
OF teetotum nearly run down. At last
ne staggered step backwards, and SPIN
ming eccentrically away from me, pitched
headlong in the midst of bevy of young
ladies in corner. 1 turned around cool
ly, walked to my seat, and sent the young
woman killer after glass of ice-water.
The miserable lawyer recovered his
senses just in time to see me thank his
rival for the water.
l got some idea from this of the fun
young ladies have in tormenting US poor
fellows of the other sex.
At this juncture, and before Mr.. Bim-
by had time to apologize for his accident,
little Jennie came running into the pa
Wilton which served as ball room. As
she came near, | perceived that her
hands were clutched tightly in her dress,
and | positively shuddered as she whis-
pered to me:
"Oh, Maggie come and help me fx
my skirts-they are all coming down.
What should / do? | was in agony.
A cold perspiration broke out upon my
forehead. 1 wished myself thousand
miles away and mathematical. Bob
Styles masquerading project inBardly,
with fearful maledictions.
l said was tired out-could not some
one else go?
No nothing would do but must ao-
company her to the house of gentleman
who owned the grove, and assist her to
arrange her clothing.
So l went.
What if it should be necessary to re-
move the greater part of her raiment p
What if she should tell me to do some
sewing?- What if in the midst of all the
embarrassments of being closeted with q
beautiful girl of seventeen in state Of
comparative freedom from drapery, my
real sex and identy should be discovered
by her7
1 felt as if an apopletic ft would be
fortunate occurrence for me just then.
However, [ nerved myself up for the
task, and accompanied Jennie to the
house designated. An old lady showed
us into her chamber, and Jennie, heaving
a sigh of relief, let go her dress. As she
did so, a-pardon my blushes-petticoat
fell to the floor. She was about to pro-
ceed, but alarmed her by sudden and
vehement gesture.
"Stop y | cried frantically and forget
ting my &alsetto; "stop don't undress for
Gods sake p'
She opened her great brown eyes to
their widest extent.
"An6 why.not Z"
because l ann am-a-can you
keep secret :"
"Why. yes How frightened you lookI
Why, what is the matter Maggiel You
-why-oh oh oh p
And she gave three screams.
"Hush No noise, or am lost ls--
I exclaimed, putting my hand over her
mouth. 81 swear | mean no harm If
had l would not have stopped you. Don't
you see 7"
She was all of tremble poor 1itsle
thing; but she saw the force Of my argu-
ment.
"Oh, sir" she said, II see you are Q
man but what does it all meant Why
did you dress so ?"
| told her the story as briefly as posi-
bic, after exacting from her promise Of
the most sacred secresy.
then went outside the door, and val.
ted till she had arranged her dress when
she called me again. She had heard Of
me from Maggie and others, and wanted
to hear the particulars so I sat down by
her, and We had long talk, which ended
in mutual feelings of friendliness and old
acquaintanceship, quite wonderful for
people meeting for the first time. JUST
as we started to go back to the pavilion,
| said | must relieve my mind of Just ons
more burden.
"And what is that 7" she said.
Those kisses. You thought / was
Maggie Lee, or you would not have given
them. They were very sweet. but / sup.
pose l must give them back"
And l did.
She blushed good deal, bot she didn's
resist, only when | got through, she
glanced up and said:
81 think you are real naughty, any.
how"