Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-11-14


having taken Edith to the ball, and un-
dertook to bear all the blame of their
having enjoyed its harmless fun to-
gether.
"From your manner" he went on,
"I really thought you bad no desire to
go. But the tide of excitement that ran
so high Just before it occurred created
within me desire to go, and / knew
that Edith, with her high spirits and
disposition, wished to be there, and as
George could not take her, proposed
to do so. Now, do promise ne dear,
for the love of peace that has character
lied us brothers and sisters hitherto,
not to mention anything OF this matter
to George
All circumstances considered, she
thought it best to appear grieved, yet
fully forgave him, and made the desired
promises; for she knew she was equally
guilty, but thought it prudent to be 81
lent as to the part she had played in the
affair.
A similar scene occurred at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. G. H., so that de,
scIiption of it is not needed.
Owing to the trunks being of the
same make, size and appearance, and
not being inirialed, both trunks and
checks somehow "got mixed, and the
error in delivery occurred as described.
Days pass, and both sisters think
themselves too sick to pay visit to the
other.
Both husbands became concerned
about the failing health of their wives
Eventually the sisters met on com
mon ground-the residence of their
mother.
On meeting, they aHectionately kiss
then burst into tears, and finally a mer
ry laugh, as they both admit that each
is even with each other in their smart
practice.
They cordially agreed that it would be
great wrong to allow the brothers tC
remaing long under the false impression
that each had deceived the other, or con.
tinue to believe that each possessed such
faithful, long suffering wives, while at
the same time they were both equally as
guilty as their husbands.
They both felt that to confess their
faults to their husbands would be seri-
Gus breach of wifely tact, and gone for
ever would be the power they now held
over them. Therefore some other plan
must be thought out
They were both equally bound to their
husbands by the promise of silence, so
that neither could inform their brother
in-law.
A happy thought flashed between
them-a masquerade ball in Boston !
Good idea! The very thing They
were both enraptured with the thought.
As may be imagined, each husband
was delighted to take his wife, and
promised to use his influence Regardless
of expense) to make it, if possible. even
more brilliant than the one at Newport,
hoping thereby to make the fullest
amends for his fault.
Each husband agreed to these condi-
tiOns-viz. that he would not wear the
costume he wore when he took her sis
ter, but would allow his wife to choose
1t for him. and not see it till he was
ready to put it on for the ball-a style
she would feel proud to see him In, as
surfing him that it would be good tit,
for the costumer should take his meas
ure from his cast-off suit, and would
take the costume he last wore In ex-
change; and, further, that she must be
allowed to choose her own style of cos
tune, promising him that he will be de-
lighted with it, but he must not see 1T
until she appears in the ballroom, where
she will join him by taking his arm.
There would be no fear of failure, be-
cause she would know his costume.
Each husband granted the conditions
after being faithfully assured that no re-
vengeful absurdity was to be practiced
upon him.
The sisters were the costumers, and
an easy task it was to select their own
and husbands dress.
4 They merely exchanged the brothers
and their own, so that each wore the
others as worn on the last occasion. q Z
Each wife knew that her husband adj
m1red the costumes, because her sister
had told her how much he praised her
taste III selecting it. y.
The bali has commenced. Both broth
ers are le1surely pacing about near the
ante-room door, both In the highest
pitch Of wondering expectation, but nei-
ther recognizing the other. "
Two ladies enter. The brothers stop
and stare with amazement, as each la
dy walks up and takes the arm of the
same. costumed nasquerader she had
danced with on the former occasion.
The truth of the situation flashed upon
the brothers instantly. The ball was
delightfully."- grand, and right merrily
danced the husbands and wives, broth
e51c