The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-11-29
An Escapade
Il Was Perpetrated by q
Girl of Seventeen
BY ETHEL HOLMES
BY ETHEL HOLMES

WOnucT NJ NY ulnOCtlCe. WIS sii1pty
unterrihed ut any proposition. ! do not
mean that was unterriiled at facing
the consequences Of any proposition.
When ! got myself into difficulty | de
pended upon circumstances to get me
out, and circumstances sometimes man.
age our affairs far better than we can
manage them ourselves.
My brother Tom. much older than
myself, and ! were orphans and lived
together, Tom being more of a father
to me than brother He was a sports
man from the crown Of his head to the
soles of his feet, and since he made a
companion Of me he taught me a lot
that "a sportsman should know. At sew
enteen I was good horsewoman, a
good shot and did not hesitate to stand
In rubber boots in stream Of rapidly
running water casting for trout.
One autumn Tom was obliged to go
away on a long TIP. Before leaving he
left certain Of his affairs I'm my charge,
lnstructing me to open his mail. reply
to such letters as | was able and for.
ward the others to him. While he was
away an invitation came for him to
visit friend I'm the mountains. "We
have some good trout fishing" said the
gentleman, land other amusements
that ! think will enable you to pass the
time pleasantly. By the by, bring that
little brother of yours, who. you say.
hoa tao xx,tl
enjoy having a youngster with u.s."
1 had heard Tom speak Of his friend
Edward Erskine, the writer Of the let
ter, but had never seen him. Toms
little brother probably meant me. My
name is Wilhelmina. and Tom had
doubtless mentioned me as Billie, CIV
ing Mr.. Erskine the impression that
was q boy.
An unfortunate idea popped into my
head. At first 1t was only an idea, for
II was beyond the pale Of common
sense. But 1t gradually worked its way
into my brain as something to be &C.
compllshed. 1t was this: to write Mr..
Erskine that my brother Tom was abb
sent and could not accept his kind in
vitation; that I. Billie. was much dis
appointed that | must be deprived Of
what promised to be delightful visit
on this account. II Mr.. Erskine re-
piled, extending the visit to me alone.
my scheme was to get myself up In
boys clothes and go alone.
wrote the letter, refraining from
mentioning the fact that was a girl
and mailed 1t. Back came the invita-
ton ! had coveted. with the words.
81 don't know how old you are, Billie.
but II you are something Of child my
mother will give you every attention.
"Your brother has often spoken Of you
as being good sport, and feel con-
fident can make II all right with Tom
when ! see him about your coming
without him Mother and will enjoy
having boy In the house. so pack
your valise and come along. Don't
bother to bring any fishing tackle, as
have all kinds here. including high
rubber boots"
certainly would have dismissed my
idea had 1t not been for this state
!
to know that a girl could not visit a
man. unless he was very old man.
without another woman In the house
AS II was. I was three days getting up
my courage. I had no business to leave
home with Tom away and without his
permission. But the bee had got into
my bonnet. and could not getit out.
My first yielding was to buy suit Of
youths clothing. I concluded that !
would pass very well for a boy. The
next thing was to buy more boys
clothes, and the next was to pack
them. All this while ! had not made
up my mind to carry out my idea. In
fact, ] never made up my mind to
carry It out: II carried me. Even when
on the train considered getting out at
the next station. And when I had
passed II considered getting out at
the next
The train and my idea took me to
station In the mountains where dwelt
Mr.. Erskine. was the only passenger
to alight at the station. called a cal
and asked the cabman TO drive me Ia
Mr.. Erskine's. He knew where Mr.
Erskine lived. and ! was soon dumped
out ut cottage. half frightened out
of my senses A gentleman about thirty
years old was on the porch mending
some fishing tackle. He looked at me
evidently wondering who was and
what | wanted
"Are you Mr.. Erskine2" I asked.
yes my boy What can I do for
your
I'm Billie" faltered.
billie? Billie Nettleton2 I'm de-
lighted to see you. Sorry Tom Is not
with you Come In. Give me that suit
ease"
He called Mother" aud an old lady
with a pleasant face showed me to a
room. where | made my toilet. took a
great deal OF time for II and after Il |
was finished spent great deal more
lime In trying 10 screw up my courage
10 go downstairs. When I did SO I |
found supper ready. and We all SAT
Town 10 table. which was something OF
/ relief To me
You're just IN time. Billie" said Mr.
srskine We've had a lot OF rain, AMI
he streams have been too high for
ishiny. but they're now about right
Web put In all day tomorrow In rub