The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-11-04
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BY A MODEST MAN.

II couldn't begin to think of such
a thing"
"But you must, MY happiness de
ponds on it. Here put on the thing.
um-bobs and what's his Names
And my friend Bob Styles held be-
fore my hesitating gaze suit of fe-
male apparel. His idea was that l
should personate his lady-love for
one day to prevent any one from sus-
pecting the truth-name!y, that she
had joined him in a runaway mar
riage party-until it should be too
late for interference; that is, until
the minister should have tied the
knot between them that nothing but
special act of the Legislature could
unite.
The scheme was not actually so
absurd as it appeared at first sight.
Maggie Lee was a tall, queeuly wo-
man, with an almost masculine air,
and at that time, had a very slight
form, almost efeminate, so that, in
fact, there was very little difference
n that point. Then 1 had light
hair, toleraby long, and a fresh com
plexion. Part my hair in the mid
die, and put bonnet on my head,
and few persons would have suspect
did but that l was really one of the
softer sex. These accessories also
gave me quite decided resemblance
to Maggie Lee, especially when, as
in this case, the disguise used was
her own.
Then the day chosen for the runa-
way match was an suspicious one
Maggie's father was to drive her to
D., a small village where she lived,
and there she was to Join sailing
party down the D. river to the grove
three miles below, from which the
party was to return in the evening in
carriages.
Our plan was that I should be in
waiting in the village, and should 60
on the boat with the sailing party
while Maggie, after leaving her faith
er, should slip off with Bob Styles
across the country.
At last I got dressed, and present
ed myself before Maggie, blushing a
great deal, 1 believe; feeling very
much pinched about the waist, and
with very uncomfortable conscious
ness III at my-my-shirt sleeves
were too short or wanting altogether.
Everything finished in the way of
toilet, Styles took me in his light
wagon, drove me over to D., by Sc
cluded route, and left me at the ho-
tel, where the sailing party was to
assemble. Several of the picnicers
were already there, and they greeted
my cavalier cordially, everybody
knew Bob Styles asked if he was 60
ing 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 through. I
had just time to bring Miss Lee over
to go with you, and now I'm off,
Mr.. Bimby, this is Miss Lee. Miss
Witherball, Miss Lee" and he rat
tied off a long string of brief intro
auctions, which convinced me that
but few ofthe company were acquain-
ted with the young lady whom l was
thus personating, very fortunate
thing for the preservation of my
disguise.
Mr.. Bimby, q tall, legal looking
gentleman, with a hook nose and eye
glass and puffy hair, seemed to be
impressed with my personelle, and I
heard him whisper to Mr.. Styles, as
he went out
"Nice looking girl, that Miss Lee"
eyes," answered Bob, with mis-
chievous glance at me, "she is a nice
rirl, though a little go-ahead some
times. Keep a little lookout on her,
h.c ,-c1oo