Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-01-19

nice, but if I had been in propria persona,
would liked it better. As it was, l felt
as if I was obtaining goods under false
pretences, and lawyer Bimby might issue
a warrant for my arrest on that ground at
any moment.
A whole knot Of crinOline then sur
rounded me, on the upper deck of the
boat, to the utter exclusion and consequent
disgust of Mr.. Bimby and all other gentle
men. kept very quiet, only speaking
in monosyllables. in falsettO voice. But
the other-Lord bless you! how they
gabbled! Under strict promise Of
secrecy, the little boarding school maiden
who had kissed me so af@tiOnately. re-
veaed all her love affairs and also became
very unpleasantly confidential about other
matters-innocent enoush in themselves,
but not customarily talked OF between
ladies and gentlemen.
I was terribly embarrassed, but it would
not do to give it up then. As soon as my
trick should become knewn, Bob Stiles
trick would come out, and news of that
kind travels fast in the country, he and
his lady love would be telegraphed, and
followed, before.hev could reach Philadel
phia where Stiles lived and where the
knot was to be tied.
The river breeze was very fresh where
we sat, and l noticed that several of the
ladies were glancing uneasily at me. l
couldn't divine the reason, until Jennie,
my little friend frcm the boarding school,
laid her face dangerously close to mine,
and whispered: "My dear Maggie, your
drcss.is hlywing terribly high-your ankles
will be town talk with the gentlemen!' -
Now was conscious OF having very
small foot for man, and donned pair of
opcn-worked stockings which came up
nearly to my waist, with a pair of CATERS
borrowed from servant girl, in all Of
which toggery my running gear" looked
qnlte feminine and respectable; but the
idea of the gentlemen talking about my
ank es, and of being thus told by young
lady, who would have been frightened to
death if | had told her the same thing
yesterday, was too much for me. burst
inlo sort of Il strangulated laugh. which l
could onls check by swallowing half of my
lilagree lace edged handkerchief. The
Young ladies all looked at mc in apparent
astonlshmcnt at such a voice, and wanted
to laugh all the more. Fortunately, Mr..
| DlllIDh CttiIlt ~ ItcHHc ul tllt liiuilltUt
aud edged himself in among the crino
line.
MAY sit here ," lie asked, pointing
to a low stool near me.
Certainly" simpered in my high fall
setto.
"Ah. thank you," said Bimby-with q
| lackadaislcal air which nauseated me, a;
coming from one man to another-.you
are as kind as YOU are iascinatingt'
You flattcr me y,
Al No, indeed; praise of you cannot
be fiattery, Miss Lee"
''Oh, sir. really yon are very naughty
man" | said in the most feminine tone
could command.
He east langnisling glance at III,
through the black lace veil, and fairly be
gan to fear for his "leclinss."
| We soon arrived ut the grove, ans
found our hand-engagcd beforehand
awaiting us. OF course dancing was the
first amusement and lawyer Bimby LED
me out for a sehot,isch. 1t was hard al
first for me to take IA laly's part in the
dance. but l soon got accustomed to it.
y waltz was proposed, and l resolved to
have little amusement at the expense ol
NV hhioi tuhotO -hi'
had first made him purposely jealous
by dancing with two other young fellows,
tne Of whom knew in my own character,
but who never suspected me as Maggie
Lee, The young man was a great woman
killer--a sort of easy devil may care ras-
cal, who made the ladies run after him, by
his alternate wrath of action and GOODNESS
of protestation. | selected him to play
off against my legal admirer. l allowed
him to hold on me closely, and occasionally
looked at him with half fascinating cx-
pression.-When we stepped dancing, he
led me to my seat, keeping his arm about
my waist and l permitted it. .
Having thus stirred Bimby up to wrath
ful teats of valor, | asked one of the
gentlemen to direct the musicians to play
waltz. Bimby came Immediately.
"Ahcm--a Miss Lee, shall l have the
honor Of a---trying waltz with you !"
smiled gracious acquiescenee, and
we commenced.
Now, | am an old stager at waltzing.
| can keep up longer than any non-pro-
lessonal dancer, male or female, whom
ever met. AS long as the Crehuca or
Schouuebrunnun rings in my ears, can
20 on if it is year.
Not so Bimby. He plead want of
practice, and said that he soon got dizzy.
"Aha, old boy" thought l. I'll give
You turn then"
But only smiled, and said that should
probably get tired first.
"Oh, yes" lie exclaimed. "Of course !;
l can waltz as long as any one lady, but
not much mOre.''
For the first three minutes my cavalier
did well. He went smoothly and evenly,
but at the expiration of that time began to
grow warm. Five minutes elapsed. and
Bimby's breath came harder and harder.
On we went, however, and l scorned to
notice his Stacking up at every round,
when we passed my seat. After some ten
or twelve inmates, the wretched man
gasped out between his steps,
"Ah, a--are you not---yet--getting very
tired ;"
"Oh, no." burst forth, as cooly as if
we were riding around the room---"Oh,
no, feel as if could waltz all night"
The look of despair that he gave me was
terrible to see.
was bound to see him through. how
ever, and we kept at it. Bimby staggered
aud made wild steps in all directions. His
shirt-collar wil.ed, eyes protruded, his jaw
hung down; and altogether l saw he could
not hold out much longer.
"This is delightful" said l land you,
Mr. Bimby, waltz so easily"
puff -puff---ah puff---yes-- oh puff,
yor, nnf dol;rbtfm ~ he pasned