The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-05-25
A DAY IN PETTICOATS.
BY A MODEST YOUNG MAN.

bObs and the what's his name"
And my friend Bob Styles, held up be
fore my hesitant gaze whole suit of fem
inine apparal.
His idea was that I should personat'
his lapy love for one day, to prevent any
body from suspecting the truth-namely
that she had joined him in runaway
marriage party-until it should be tot
late for interference; that is, until tht
minister should have tied knot between
them that nothing but death or a specia
grant Of the 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 effemi.
nate, so that in fact, there was really but
little difference in that point Then l
had light hair parted in the middle, and
put bonnet on my head ard few per.
sons would suspect that l was not of the
softer sex. These accessories also gave
me quite decided resemblance to Mag
gle Lee, especially when, as in this case,
the disguise was her own.
Then the day chosen for the runaway
match was an auspicious one. Maggie's
pa was to drive her to D, small vii
lage 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 waiting
in the village, and should 60 on the boat
doned that pleasure and persuaded Jen.
with the sailing party, while Maggie, af.
ter leaving her father, should slip off with
Bob Styles, across the country
At last L got dressed, and presented
myself before Maggie, blushing great
deal | believe, feeling very much about
the waist, and with an uncomfortable con-
sciousuess that my-my shirt sleeves were
too short or wanting altogether.
EVERYTHING finished, in the way of toi-
let, Bob Styles took me into his light
wagon, drove me over to D., by Sc
cluded route, and left me at the hotel
where the sailing party was to assemble.
Several of the picnickers were already
there, and they greeted my cavalier with
cordiality, everybody knew Bob Styles
asking if he was going with them. He
told them he was not.
"Pressing business engagements you
know and all that sort of thing. Deuced
sorry can't go though. just had time
to bring Miss Lee over, and now I'm off.
Mr.. Bimby this is Miss Lee. Miss With
ergall, Miss Lee," and then ratified off a
long string of brief introductions, which
convinced me that but few of the compa-
ny were acquainted with the young lady
whom l was thus personating-a very
fortunate thing for the preservation of
my disguise.
Mr.. Bimby, tall, legal looking man
with hook-nose, and eye glass and puffy
hair, seemed to be prepossessed with my
personalle, and l overheard him whisper
to Bob Styles, as he went out:
"Nice looking girl, that Miss Lee"
eyes" answered Bob with mlschiev-
Gus glance at me, "she is nice girl,
though little go-a-head sometimes
Keep a little lookout on her will you, -
then lowering his voice said: "not bad
match for you, old fellow, she is rich."
''Is she?" said Bimby, his interest
deepening.
''On my honor" replied Bob. "Forty
thousand dollars in her own right. Day
day p 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 thither he had taken her. Having
business in D, he left her there,
merely saying that he would send the
carriage for her in the evening. She
like dutiful daughter kissed him, and
bid him good bye, and before he had got
q hundred rods, got into Bob Styles light
wagon, which had driven up to the back
door as Mr.. Lees drove from the front,
and the old story of head-strong love and
unprejudiced age was enacted over again.
AS for US of the picnic excursion we
had delightful sail down to the Grove,
but somehow, l could not enjoy it as
much as ought to have done. When !
Wdlkcu Ou UOdIu liz UOdbJ tclI dWhWdIui
as if everybody was looking at me.
found Mr.. Bimby, as had suspected, a
young and rising lawyer, mighty in Black.
stone and his own opinion. lie insisted
on paying my fare (the boat was regu-
lar excursion packet) and purchasing G.
nough oranges, pears and candies, to set
up street-stand. Four OF FIVE times ]
was ON the point of swearing at his impu-
dent officiousness, but bit my tongue just
in time to prevent my exposure. But il
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 among them, beautiful girl of sew.
enteen, just returned from boarding
school, who had not seen Maggie Lee for
three years. OF course she was delight
ed to see me, when she found that / was
Maggie Lee, which by the way, did not
occur until we had started. She threw
herself into my arms, pulled my veil aside,
and kissed me dozen times, in man.
~ L r.