The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-04-07
A DAY IN PETTICOATS.
ct couldn't think of such thing.

COulOu tnlQk OI SUCH LQlQR.
But you mnst. My happiness de-
pends on it. Here, put ON the thing
umbobs, the what's his name."
And my friend Bob Styles held up be-
fore my hesitant gaze q suit of female
apparel.
His idea was that I should persouate
his lady-love for one day to prevent any
body from suspecting the truth-name-
ly, that she had joined him in a runaway
marriage party-until it should be too
late for interference that is, until the
minister should have tied knot between
them that nothing but q special grant
of the Legislature could unite.
This scheme was not actually so alb
surd rs it appeared at first sight. Mag
gle Lee was tall, queenly woman, with
an almost masculine air, and at that
time I had very slight form-almost
effeminate, 30 that in fact there was
really but little difference in that point.
Then / had light hair, tolerably long,
and a fresh complexion. Part my hair
in the middle, put a bonnet on my
head, and few persons would have sus-
pected but 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 was her own.
Then the day chosen for the runaway
match was an auspicious one. Maggie g
father was to drive her to D, O
small village near where 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 the carriage.
Our plan was that / should be in wait
ing in the village, and should go on the
boat with the sailing party, while Mag
gle, after leaving her father, should slip
off with Bob across the country.
At last / got dressed, and presented
myself before Maggie Lee, blushing a
great deal, believe, feeling very much
pinched about the waist, and with an un-
comfortable consciousness that my shirt
sleeves were too short, or wanting al
together.
Everything finished in the way of
toilet, Bob Styles took me into his light
wagon, drove me over to D. by a
secluded route and left me at the hotel,
where the sailing party was to assemble.
there, and they greeted my cavalier cor
daily Everybody knew Bob Styles,
asking If he was going with them, etc.
He told them he was not.
Pressing business engagement, you
know, and all that sort of thing. Duced
sorry I can't go though. I just had time
to bring Miss Lee over, and now I'm off.
Mr.. Bimby, this is Miss Lee, Miss With
ergall, Miss Lee, "and he ratified off q
string of brief introductions, which con-
vinced me that few of the company We're
acquainted with the young lady whom I
was personating-a very fortunate thing
for the preservation of my disguise.
Mr.. Bimby, q tall, legal-looking man,
with hook nose, and eye-glass and finny
hair, seemed to be prepossessed with my
personelle. and overheard him whisper
to Bob Styles. as he went out :
Z" Nice looking girl, that Miss Lee. +"
EYES," answered Bob, with mis-
chievous glance at me, "she is nice
girl, though a little go ahead sometimes.
Keep little lookout ON her, will you 2"
then lowering his voice-"not bad
match for you, old fellow she is rich. I"
Is she 2" said Mr.. Bimby, his in
terest deepenig.
"On my honor" replied Bob. "Forty
thousand dollars in her own night. Good
day !" and he was gone.
Maggie Lee, artful creature that she
was, had told her father that the sailing
party was to assemble at another hotel,
and thither he had taken her. Having
business in D., he left her there,
merely saying that he would send a car
riage for her at IL o'clock. She, like q
dutiful daughter, kissed him good bye,
and before he had gone hundred rods,
took seat in Bob Styles light wagon,
which had driven up to the back door
as old Lees carriage drove away from
the front, and the old story of head
strong love and prejudiced age was en-
acted over again.
AS for us, of the picnic excursion, we
had delightful sail to the grove, but
somehow ! could not enjoy il as much
as I ought to have done. When 1 walked
on board of the boat, felt awkward, as
il everybody was looking at me. found
Mr.. Bimby, as had suspected, O young
and rising lawyer, mighty in Blackstone
and his own opinion. He insisted on
paying for my ticket (the boat was a