The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-10-18
IN wOMAN's CLOTHEs.
How one Man Found . wife.

I'D very pretty hoy and in carly days, when
We were children, you used to say that
ought to have been girl. When ] was about
tweuiy-one years old, was staying one
long vacation with some friends oil mine IN
the 10Th regiment, then quartered in Ireland
In the regiment, there was a certain Captain
Dundee, who was rather heavy, stupid tel
low, though 4 pretty goon officer, who prided
himself upon being very sharp. He used to
boast that nobody could take him i'll, and
hat he could recognize \ person IN any con-
.eiysble disguise. ! was very intimate with
Captain Dundee. and 40 far from thinking
MIN very sharp. used to abuse him for his
stupidity, and was always chatting him on
he subject.
Cine evening at mess WHEN Captain Dun
lee. was not present, bets were made that
,ould not pa an evening in his company
lressed rs a lady without his discovering the
rick bet that could do SO. Many officers
.ook my side, and itast at ended in very heavy
,ets indeed being made, not by me, but,
what was worse, by my friends, for felt Their
too.ing or gaining almost a fortune depend
cd entirely on me. As the day drew nearl
these bets we're doubled. trembled for tho
result. may mention that though did moi
know it. almost all these bets were 6ctions3
and only proclaimed for the sake Of keeping
ne ny TO the mark. In the fact, those conf
eerned thosghtlessly wanted TO have jolly
ark. and were afraid Of my backing OUT
Az j, vas, felt that about fifteen thousand
sounds in bets depended on my getting
through the evening safely IN my assumed
character as young lady.
CariAin Uanuec nau married a young lark J
care -for-nothing Irish giil. | do not ut al
thaf ali us raativ had hnf
from though.fiilness. from not over refined
nature. aud from very exuberant, uncontrolE
ed spirits, slle would rush into a scrape, httt
thinking or caring about The consequences
or how she could ret out OF it successfully
fhe bet Was, that the first evening Mr. Fen
week could get An invitation for himself anT
imaginary niece, Miss Fenwiek. 70 dine viii
the Dundees. was TO persora,e, the niece
and the said bet, moreover, was to the efet
chat should successfully deceive Captain
Dundee til such time as the party separated
however late the hour might be.
Without my knowledge, Mrs. Dundee va
let in The secret hence all my trouble. She
ia her wild lrlsh way quite entered INTO th'
Joke, and ut once determined 10 make con
fusion worse COMPOUNDED.
Very 1oo1 note came. stat ng that Capt
And Mrs. Dundee requested the pleasure o
Mr.. and Miss Fenwick 10 dlnneri in que
gay on the 10th instant. Only one or tHt
ito}her officers were coming. The issfA
day arrived. Remember, | Thought tina
thousands depended on the remit. and tina
Mrs Dundee WAS az ignoran; rs her HUSBAND
Of my Intended appearance. Imagine m,
~i'h proiusion OF false black curls flowe
,r two stuck here and there, no end OF ladies'
Iewelry-rings, earrings, breach, eic-a tbil
muslln dress, with high body. my face skill
FULLY painted. In fact | was altogether vetl
sell made up by first rate hand sent fD
trsm Dublin. Partly to keep up my courag,
and get me up to the mark. and partly that
Knew, in my assumed character, | must no
rink much wine. imbibed a considerable,
quantity before | started. Moreover, in ,
secret pocket concealed a small flask .
brandy. with which hoped to keep mp ny
spirits on the sly
At the table played my part we'll.
alked aud hrted, chartered about daucint
aud so forth. and protested ! was mad abou
balls. Wretch that ! was, wish | had balG
my tongue, was unwitttinEy rushing to de-
,truction. drank as much champagne a.
Jared to in my assumed character, anc
thought everything was going al right, snt
tina! my friends we're quite sure to win Their
money. Scarcely had the cloth been removed
when Mrs Dundee said u have . pleasant
surprise for you all good people. A few
DAYS ago received an Invitation from George
aud Lady Clonmell to ball at their hous.
this evening, With permission to bring any Of
any friends. Sir George lives twelve mile off
Dundee has secured the large omnibus from
the inn, and ordered four horses, and re
start at nine clock. We can all go togeth.
sr; we shall have jolly evening, and ] an
delighted to think that you will be able te
enjoy yourself, Miss Fenwick.'
Good gracious. how my heart sank within
ne. My bet held good till we separated
dy friends must lose their money. coud
iever get through bail, | know. | sad
nv dress Was high and would rot do for 4
ball.
My maid said Mrs. Dundee, 'sshall
tress you IN one Of my evening dresses
aNo she shan't,' almost shrisked out.
''ft must 60, will 60 Jus, as | am. an
70 delicate tina, the doctors will no. allow ms
to wear low dress.
Perhaps. dear, you would like her "a
ires. your hair differently; she is very clev-
sr, or 10 put another wreath on YOUR head z
toh, no, thank you, said !, and most bit,
erly did insardly abuse my luck. but | al.
most eaped, III you have spare room
shere could wash my hands. and Just pul
my hair straight for myself, should be very
much obliged.
was shown into room, and sat downihe
sery picture, am sure. OF despair II nov
began to flash across me. too, that what was
TO say the least, not an over credtable Joke
among few larky brother officers, would b
very dishenorable if practiced on society al
large; that ii would be very wrong for me te
60 to the ball al Sir Georges disguised as {
young lady; that might get into some ask,
ward scene; that might be the means Of
causing pain and shame to some ladies. Oh
dear. | was doubling whether should b,
taken suddenly i'll, aud have myself conveyed
home, or whether should send for Mrs.
Dundee, and make a clean bren.t Of il: lit.
tie thinking that the wretch knew my Gx all
the time. But then my friends would lose
their fifteen thousand pounds. Oh, horri-
BILE. Just at that moment my hand unluek,-
y touched the pocket in which WAS my flask.
10 pull it out and drain it was only the work
Of moment or two. Ny courage returned
at once; my spirits rose only too rapidly: ]
would 20 through with it; | would win. Ny
scruplss vanished into thin sir-I forgo,
them. was not drunk, but terribly excited.
Soon the Iadys maid entered With hot