Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-03-12
A DAY IN PETTICOATS.
BY 4 MODEST YOUNG MAN.

Aud my friend Bob Styles held up be-
fore my hesitating gaze whole suit of
feminine apparel.
His idea was that l should personate
his lady-love for one day, to prevent any
body from suspecting the truth-namcly
that she had joined him in runaway mar.
riage party until it should be too late for
interference; that is until the minister
should have tied knot between them that
nothing but special grant of the leyisla-
turc could unite.
The scheme was not actually so absurd
as it appeared at first sight. Maggie Lee
was TALL quecnly woman, with an almost
masculine air, and, at that time had a
| very slight form-almost cffcminate, Sc
that, in fact, there was really but little diff.
ference in that point. Then had light
hair parted in the middle, and put a bon.
net on my head and few persons would
suspect that I was not the softer sex
These accessories gave me quite resem
blance to Maggie Lee, especially when as
in this case the disguise was her own
The day chosen for the runaway match
was an auspicious one. Maggie's pa was
to drive her to D., a small village
near where she lived 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 awaiting
in the village, and should go on the boa,
with the sailing party, while Maggie, after
leaving her father, should slip off with
Bob Styles across the country.
At last | got dressed, and presented
myself before Maggie, blushing a great
deal, l believe, feeling very much piuched
about the waist, and with an uncomfort
able consciousness that my shirt sleeves
were too short; or wanting altogether.
Everything finished, in the way of toi.
let, Bob Styles took me into his light wag
on and drove me over to D., by Sc
lec.ed route, and left me at the hotel
where the sailing party was to assemble
Several Of the picniccrs were already
there, and they greeted my cavalier with
cordality Everybody knew Bob Styles. J
asking if he was going with them. He
told them he was not
Pressing business engagements you
know" and all that sort of thing. "Deuc
ed sorry l cant 60, though. just had
time to bring Miss Lee over and now I'm
off. Mr.. Bimby, this is Miss Lee Miss
Withergall Miss Ice, and he rattlei of
long string of brief ntroductons, which
convinced me that but few of the company
were acquainted with the young lad y |
was thus personating-a very fortunate
thing for the preservation of my disguise
Mr.. Bimby tall, legal looking man with
hook nose, and cyeglass and puffy hair
seemed to be prepossessed with my per.
sonellc. and | overheard him whisper to
Bob as he went out:
mice looking girl, that Miss Lee"
EYES" answered Bob, with a mschiev.
Gus glance at me- "she is a nice girl
though little 90 ahead sometimes. Keep
a little look out to her, will s"-then
lowering his voice he said-"not bad
match for you, old fellow. she's rich"
lis she?' said Bimby, his interest
deepening.
"On my honor" replied Bob Forty
thousand dollars in her own right. Day
day :" and he was golfe.
Maggie Ice, artful creature that she
was. had told her father that the sailing
party was to assemble at another hotel. and
ththcr he had taken her. Having busi
ness in D, he left her there merrily
saying he would send the carriage after
her at eleven o'clock She. like a du,iful
daughter. kissed aud bid him good bye
and before he had got hundred rods. go,
into Bob Styles light wagon. which had
driven up to the back door as Mr.. Lee $
drove from the front. and the old story OF
headstrong love and prejudiced age was
enacted over again.
As for us Of the picnic excursion. We
had delightful sail down to the Grove.
but somehow. could not enjoy as much
as ought to have done. When walk ed
on board the boat felt awkward. as IL ev.
erybody was looking at me- found Mr..
Bimby, as had expected a young and
rising lawyer, mighty in Blackstone aud
his own opinion. lie insisted on paving
my fare (the boat was a regular excursion
packet and purchasing enough oranges.
pears, and candies, TO set up a street stand
Four or FIVE times | was on the point Of
swearing at his impudent oficiousness. bu.
bit my tongue just in time to preven, my
exposure. But il was not with him that
found my role the hardest to play.
No; the young ladies were the difhcul,
ones TO deceive. For instance. there was
one among them, a beautiful girl Of seven.
teen, just returned from boarding school,
who had not seen Maggie Lee for three
years. Of course she was delighted to
ace me. when she found out I vas Maggie
Lee, which BY the way did not occur un.
Ill We had started. She threw herself
into my arms, pulled my veil aside, and
kissed me half dozen times, in a manner
that made my finger end. tiugle for an