Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-02-20
A DAY IN PETTICOATS.
''I couldn't think of such a thing.

81 couldn't think of such a thing"
"But you must. My happiness
depends ON it. Here, put on the
thingumbobs, the what's his name.'
And my friend Bob Styles held up
before my hesitant gaze suit of fe-
male apparel.
/ His idea was that / should per-
senate his lady-love for one day to
prevent anybody from suspectlng the
truth-namely, that she had Joined
MIN In runaway marriage party
until 1t should be too late for inter-
ference; that is, until the minister
should have tied knot between them,
that nothing but special grant OF
the Legislature could unite.
This scheme was not ACTUALLY. .sa
absurd rs it appeared at first siullt
Maggie Lee was tall, queeniy wo-
man, with an almost masculine air,
and at that time / had very slight
form-aimost effeminate, so that in
fact there was really but little differ
ence in that point. Then had light
hair, tolerably long, anG fresh COM
piexion. Part my hair in the middle,
put bonnet on my head, and few
persons would have suspected but
was really one of the softer sex.
These accessories also gave me quite
a decided resemblance to Maggie
Lee, especially when, as in this case,
the disguise was her own.
Then the day chosen for the runa-
way match was an auspicious one.
Maggie's father was to drive her to
D, small village near where
she lived, and there she was to join a
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
waiting in the village, and should go
on the boat with the sailing party,
while Maggie, after leaving her father,
should slip off with Bob across the
country.
At last got dressed, and present
ed myself before Maggie Lee, blush
ing great deal, / believe, feeling
very much pinched about the waist,
and with an uncomfortable conscious
ness that my shirt sleeves were too
short, or wanting altogether.
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. Several of the picknickcrs
were already there, and they greeted
my cavalier cordially 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.
Dueed sorry l can't go though. !
just had time to bring Miss Lee over,
and now I'm Off. Mr.. Bimby, this
is Mise Lee, Mice witkergafi, Miss
Lee," and he ratified off string of
brief introductions, which convinced
me that few of the company were ac-
quainted with the young lady whom
L was personating-a very fortunate
thing for the preservation of my dis
guise
Mr.. Bimby, "a tall, legal-looking man,
with hook nose, and eye-glass and
finny hair, seemed to be prepossessed
with my personelle, and L overheard
him whisper to Bob Styles, as he
went out:
Nice looking girl, that Miss Lee."
EYES," answered Bob, with a mis-
chie,ous glance at me, "she is nice
girl, though little go ahead some
times. Keep a little lookout on her,
will you?"-then lowering his voice
mot bad match for you, old fellow;
she is iich.
sis she?" said Mr.. Bimby, his in
terest deepening.
"On my honor,' replied Rob.
"Foty thousand dollars in her
own right. Good dayl" and he was
gone.
Maggie Lee, artful creature that
she was, had told her father that the
sailiIg party was to assemble at an
.othe- hotel, and thither he had taken
her. Having business in D. he
left her there, merely saying that he
would send carriage for her at ii
o'clock. She, like dutiful daughter,
kissed him goodbye, 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
enacted over again.
As for US, of the picLic excursion,
we had delightful sail to the grove,
hut somehow could not enjoy it as
I ought to have done. When walk.
ed on board of the boat, / felt
awkward, as if everybody was looking
c me. found Mr.. Bimby. as ! had
young and rising lawyer,
mighty in Blackstone and his own
,pinion. He insisted on paying for
nv ticket (the boat was regular ex-
.ursion packet) and purchasing
.noueh oranges, pears and candies to
of M a stand. Four or five times ,
was on the point of swearing at his
,nnndent officiousness, but bit my |
onoue Just in time to prevent the ex- s
osnre But it was not with him that {
found my role the hardest to play. /
No, the young ladies were the diff q
cult ones to deceive. For instance, G
here was cne among them, beauti-
Il g;rl of seventeen, just returned r
- rom her boarding school. who had $
ot seen Maggie Lee for three years.
# W course she was delighted to see :
10 when she found out that l was
Iaooie. which, by the way, did not Fl
ccnS until after we had started. Sne
braw herself into my arms, pulled q
~ y vail aside, and kissed me half q
ozen :. times in manner that made :
~ v1 singers tingle for an hour. 1t was
cry :. nice, but If had been in pre- .,
,r;9 persona / would have liked II Il
,etter. + AS it was, I felt as if | were !.
'htainiug goods under false pretenses, Il