Year: 1870

But you must. My happiness de.
pcnds On it. Here, put on the gum.
bObs aud the what's its name"


Aud my friend, Bob Styles, held up
before my hesitaut gaze a whole suit Of
feminine apparel


His idea was that | should pcrsouatc
his lady love, to preveut anybody from
suspccting the truth-namely, that she
had Joined him in runaway marriage
party-untii it should be too late for in
reference that is, until the minister
should have tied knot between them
that nothing but special grant of the
legisla ure could unite.


The scheme was not actually so alb.
surd as it appeared at first sight.


Maggie Lee was tall, queenly wo.
man, with an almost masculine air, and
at that time | had very slight form
almost etfeminate, so that in fact, there
was but little difference in that point.
Then | had light hair parted in the mid
die, and with u bonnet on my head, few
persons would suspect that | was not Of
the other 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.


Maggle's pa was to drive her to D.
small village near where she lived, and
there she was to join sailing party
dowd D River, to the grove three
miles below from which the party was
to return in the evening in carriages.


Our plan was, that | should be wait
ing in the village, and should 20 on the
boat with the sailing party, while Mag,
gle, alter leaving her father, should slip
off with Bob Styles across the country


At last | got dressed and presented
myself before Maggie, blushing great
deal | believe, feeling very much
pinched about the waist, and with au
uncomfortable consciousness that my
shirt sleeves were too short or wanting
altogether.


Everything flushed in the way Of
toilette, Bob Styles took me into his
light wagon and drove me over to D.,
by secluded route, and left me at the
hotel, where the sailing party was to as.
semble. Several picnicers where ALREADY y
there, and they greeted my chevalier
with cordiality, everybody knew Bob
Styles asking if he was going with
them. He told them he was not.


Pressing business engagement, you
know, and all that sort Of thing. Dueced
sorry | cant 20 though. | had Just
time to bring Miss Lee over, and now
I'm off Mr.. Bmby this is Miss Lee
Miss Withergail, Miss Lee," and he
ratified off long string of introductions
which convinced me that but few of the
company were acquainted with the
young lady whom | was personating-
a very fortunate thing for the presel'va.
ton of my disguise.


Mr.. Btmby, a tall, legal looking man
with hook nose, and an eyeglass and
puffy hair, seemed to be prepossessed
with my personelle, aud | overheard
him wisper to Bob Styles, as he went
out:


mice looking girl, that Miss Lee


" Yes" answered Bob, with mis-.
chievous look at me, "she is a nice gill,
though little 60 ahead sometimes -
Keep little look out on her, will you, u
then lowering his voice, said-''not a
bad match for you, old fellow, she is
rich"


Is she ?" said Bimby, his interest
deepening.


"On my honor" replied Bob--"forty
thousand in her own right. Day, day p
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 had left her
there, merely saying he would send the
carriage for her at eleven o'clock. She,
like dutiful daughter, kissed him aud
bid him good bye, and before he had
gone hundred rods got into Bob Styles
light wagon, which had driven up to the
back door as Mr.. Lees drove from the
front, and the old story of hoadstrong
love and prejudiced age, was ohatted
over once more.


As for US of the picnic exclusion, we
had delightful sail down to the grove,
but somehow could not enjoy it as
much as ! sbopld have done When
walked on board the boat, | felt awk
ward, as il everybody was looking at me
| found Mr.. Bimby US | had suspected
a young and rising lawyer mighty in
Blackstone aud his own opinion, He
paid my fare (the boat was an excursion
packet,) and bought oranges, pears and
candies enough to set up street stand