The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-12-30
A DAY IN PETTICOATS.
BY A MODEST MAN.

couiuu OeSln 10 tnlnk OF such
thing" H.. --.-.-,
I "But you must. my happiness depend
on it. Here, put on the thing-um-bot
and what's his Names" a.S tll.
And my friend Bob Styles held befo,
my hesitating gaze suit Of female appare
His idea was that I should personate hi
lady love for one day to prevent any on
from suspecting the truth namely, tina
she had Joined him in q runaway marriag
party-until it shonh be too late for in
reference; that is, until the ministe
should have tied knot between them tha
nothing but special act of the Legislature
could unite. fGg EgggE-s IBeg
The scheme was not actually SO absurt
as it appeared at first sight. Maggie lie,
was tall, queenly woman, with an almost
masculine air. and at that time, had .
very slight form-almost eifsmipate. sc
that, in fact, there was very little difference
in that point. Then had light hair, tol
erably long, and fresh complexion. Part
my hair IN the middle, aud put a bonnet
on my head, and few persons would have
suspected but that l was really one. sof the
softer sex. These accessories also gave
me quite decided resemblance to Maggie
Lee, especially when, as in this case, the
disguise was her own. fHo9
Then the day chosen for runaway match
was an suspicious ono. Maggie's father
was to drive her TO d., small village
wherc 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 car.
riages. .tlta 5st4ta..., eos SFafr
Our plan was that I should be in wait
ing in the village, :.and should go on the
boat with the sailing party while Maggie
after leaving her father, should slip off with
Bob Styles across the country. qf
At last got dressed, and presented my.
self before Maggie, blushins great deal, i
believe; feeling very much pinched about
tho waist, and with very uncomfortable
consciousness that my--my-shirt sleeves
vera too short or wanting altogether.
Everything finished in the way Of toilet,
Styles took me in his light wagon, drove
ne over to D., by a secluded route, and
left me at the hotel, where the sailing par
y was to assemble. Several of the pic
1ickers were already there, and they greet
I'd my cavalier cordially Everybody knew
Bob Styles asked if he was going with
hem, etc. He told them he was not.
Pressing business engagements, you
NOW aud all that sort of thing. Deuced
ory, ! can't go though. I had just time
o bring Miss Leelover to 60 with you, and
low I'm off. Mr.. Bimby, this is Miss Lee
Hiss Wither6all, Miss Lee" and he rat
led offa long string ofbrief iuiroductiona.
Vhich convinced me that but few of the
ompany were acquainted with the young
ady whom was thus personating, very
ortunate thing for the preservation of my
isguise.
Mr.. Bimby, tall, legal looking gentle
ian; with hook nose and eye-giass and
uffy hair, seemed to be impressed with my
and heard him whisper to Mr..
tyles, as he went out. ash .aIEy7
"Nice looking girl, that Miss Lee
ayes" answered Bob, with o mischiev-
US glance at nc, "sheis nice girl, though
little go-ahead sometimes. Keep lit
@ lookout on her, will you?" then low
ring his voice, mot a bad match for you
Id fellow, she's rich.' l,f'4a ''
"Is she?" said Mr.. Bimby, his interest
eepening.
"On my honor" said Bob. "Forty
lousand dollars in her own right. Good
n.y." and he was gone. n /
Maggie Lee, artful creature that she was
I'D her father that the sailing party was
} assemble ut another hotel, and thither
. had taken her. Having business in
----, he left her there, merely saying
lat he would send the carriage for her at
even O'clock She Ikea dutifal daugh-
II, bid him goodbye, and kissed him, and
,fore he had gone hundred rods, took a
at in Bob Styles light wagon, which had
iven up to the back door as old Lees
rriage drove away from the front, and
% old story Of headstrong love and pre-
diced age was enacted over again. ~ j
AS for US, of the pic mic excursion, we
I'd delightful sail down to the grove but ,
did not enjoy it as much as should
we done. When walked on the boat
Felt awkward, as if everybody was look ,
g at me. l found Bimby, Us ]. suspected
young and rising lawyer, mighty in
Iackstone and his own opinion. He in. ,
'ted on paying for my ticket 1.-THE boat !;
IS regular excursion packet) and pur- .
asing enough oranges pears and candies
set up street stand. Four or five 9
mes was on the point Of swearing at his
prudent oficiousness, but bit my tongue
st in time to prevent the exposure. But
was not with him found my role the
rdest to play. /
No; the young ladies were the difficult i.
es 10 deceive. For instance, there was
= ..,nnu fhom n hoont ifn1 O;rI IF uovotI- "