The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-07
A DAY IN pETTIC0ATS.
BY A MODEST MAN.

81 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 be-
fore my hesitant gaze a suit of female
apparel.
His idea was that should personate his
lady-love for one day to prevent anybody
from suspecting the truth-namely, that
she had Joined him in runway marriage
party-until it should be too late for inter-
ference; that is, until the minister should
have tied knot between them that moth
ing but q special 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 very
slight form-almost efeminate, 80 that in
fact there was really but little difference in
that point. Then had light hair, tolera-
bly, long, and q fresh complexion. Part
my hair in the middle, put q bonnet on my
head, and few persons would have suspect
ed but what was really one of the softer
sex. These accessories also gave me quite
a decided resemblance to Maggie Lee,
especially when, as in this case, the dis
guise was her own.
Then the day chosen for the runaway
match was an suspicious one. Maggie's
father was to drive her to D., small
village near where she lived, and there she
was to join q sailing party down D
river, to the grove three miles below, from
which the party was to return in the even
ing 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 Oft with
Bob across the country.
At last I got dressed, and presented
myself before Maggie Lee, blushing
great deal, believe, feeling very much
pinched about the waist, and with an un-
comfortable consciousness that my shirt
sleeves were too short, or wanting alto
gether.
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 picknickers were already there, and
they greeted my cavalier cordially, (every
body knew Bob Styles, asking 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 can't go, though. l had just time
to bring Miss Lee 0ver, and now I'm off,
Mr.. Bimby, this is Miss Lee; Miss With.
ergall. Miss Lee, "and he iattled off string
of brief introductions, which convinced
me that few of the company were &C.
auainted with the young lady whom was
personating-a very fortunate thing for
the preservation of my disguise.
Mr.. Bimby, tall, legal looking man,
with hook nose, and eye glass, and finny
hair, seemed to be prepossessed with my
personelle, and I overheard him whisper
to Bob Styles, as he went out: \
"Nice looking girl, that Miss Lee"
eyes" answered Bob, with mischiev-
ous glance at me, ''she is q nice girl,
though little 60 ahead sometimes. Keep
a little look out on her, will you ?"-then
lowering his voice, "Not bad match for
YOU old fellow; she is rich"
"Is She" said Mr.. Bimby, his interest
deepening.
"On my honor" replied Bob. "Forty
thousand dollars in her own right. Good
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 Thu
ther he had taken her. Having business
in D., he LETT her there, merely saying
that he would send the carriage for her at
eleven o'clock. She, like dutiful daugh-
ter. kissed him good bye, and before he
had gone hundred rods, took a seat in
Bob STYLES light wagon, which bad driven
nm to the back door IS old Lees carriage
arera auax from the front, and the old