Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-02-20
MEXICO, MISSOURI. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 90 1879

AS she came near perceived that her
hands were elutched tightly in her
dress, and I positively shuddered as
she whispered to me:
"Oh, Maggie! come help me fix
my skirts-they are all coming
down."
What should / do? I was In agony.
A cold perspiration broke out upon
my forehead. I wished myself q
thousand miles away, and anathema-
tized Bob Styles masquerading pro-
ject inwardly with fearful maledic-
| tions.
I said I was tired out-could not
somebody else go?
No, nothing would do, but I must
accompany her to the house of gen.
tleman who owned the grove, and as
sist her to arrange her clothing. So ]
went.
What If it should be necessary to
remove part Of the ralment? What
If she should tell me to do some sew
ing? What, if in the midst of all the
embarrassment of being closeted with
beautiful girl of seventeen in a
state of comparative freedom from
drapery, my real sex and identity
should be discovered by her!
However, I nerved myself up for
the task, and went to the house des-
ignated. An old lady showed us into
her chamber, and Jennie let 60 her
dress. AS she did so, a-pardon my
blushes-petticoat fell to the floor.
She was about to proceed when /
| alarmed her by sudden and vehe-
ment gesture.
''Stop!" I cried, frantically, and
forgetting my falsetto; "stop! don't t
undress, for Gods sake!"
''And why not?''
''Because | am a-can you keep a
secret?'' 80.
"Why, yes-how frightened you
do look? Why, what is the matter,
Maggie-you-why-oh-oh: oh oh
oh!!v'
And she gave three fearful screams.
''Hush, no noise, or 1 ana lost," /
exclaimed, putting my hand over her
mouth. 81 swear mean no harm ;
if l had I would not have stopped
you don't you see?"
She was all of trembie, poor little
| thing but she saw the force of my
argument.
"Oh, SIR" she said, 81 see you
are man but what does it all mean
Why did you dress so?"
told her the story as brief as pos
sible, and exacted from her promise
OF the most secret secrecy.
/ then went outside of the door,
and waited till she had arranged her
dress, when she called me in again.
She heard of me from Maggie and
others and wanted to hear all the par.
ticulars so sat down by her. and
had long talk which ended in a
mutual feeling Of friendship, and old
acauaintanceship, quite wonderful fol
people meeting for the first time.
just az we started back to the paw.
lion / said / must relieve my mind
of one burden.
Sand what is that?' she asked.
''Those kisses. You thought ]
was Maggie Lee or you would no
have given them. They were very
sweet, but l suppose 1 must give
them back"
And L did.
| She blushed good deal but didn't
resist, only when got through she
glanced up timidly and said:
81 think you are real naughty, any
how"
When L returned I found lawyer
Bimby had quite recovered from his
dizziness, and all hands ready for
supper, which was served in the ball
room. / sat between Bimby and
Jennie, and made love to both of
them in turn; to one rs Maggie Lee.
and to the other as myself. After
supper, at which I astonished several
by eating rather more heartily than
young ladies generally do, we had
more dancing and l limited pretty
strongly to Mr.. Bimby that / should
AkhS W III AuOtuCA Wois1s
Finding il rather dry amusement
to dance with my own kind, l soon
abandoned that pleasure, and per-
suaded Jennie to stroll off into the
moonlight with me. We found the
grove charming place, full of pic
turesque little corners, and rustic
seats, and great gray rocks leaning
out over the river. On one Of these
latter little bench was placed, in u
nook sheltered from the wind, and
from sight
Here we sat in the full food of the
and having just had din
ner, I felt wonderfully in need of a
cigar. Accordingly, I went to a
little stand near the ballroom, and
purchased several from the wondering
who sold refreshments. Then
returning to the seats by the rocks, /
gave up all fears for my incognito,
md reveled in the pleasure of soli-
,ude, the fragrance of my cigar, the
moonlight and little Jennie 8 presence.
How long we sat there, heaven only
,nows. We talked and laughed, and
ang, and looked in each others eyes,
md told fortunes, and performed all
he nonsensical operations common
mongst young people just falling in
owe, and might have remained there
lntil the month of August, In the
ear OF our Lord eighteen hundred
nd eightysone, for aaght I know,
ad not the carriages been sent to
onvey US home, and the rest of the /,
began to wonder where we !,
zere.
This wonder begot questions, the /,
uestions fears, and the fears search
eaded by the valiant Bimby. They /,
allied and looked aud listened, but :
ur position down in the sheltered :
ook among the rocks prevented them j
ON hearing us, or we them. :
At length they hit upon our path, q
nd all came along single file, until 9
ley got to the open space above. Iii
Then they saw a sight.
/ was spread ont in free and easy II
,sition, my bonnet OIL, and my hair Il
r.,