Year: 1870




"I couldn't think of such a thing"


"But you must. My happiness depends on it.
Here, put on the thingumbobs and the what's
his-name."


And my friend Bob Styles, held up before my
hestant gaze a whole suit of feminine apparel.


His idea was that should personate his lady
love for one day, to prevent anybody from sus-
pecting the truth-namely, that she had Joined
him in "a runaway marriage party-until it should
be too late for interference that is until the
minister should have tied q knot between them
that nothing but special grant of the legisla-
ture could unite. '--t .'


The scheme was not actually so absurd as it
appeared at first sight. Maggie Lee was tall,
queenly woman, with an almost masculine air,
and, at that time had very slight formal
most effemnate so that, in fact, there was really
but little difference in that point. Then had
light hair parted in the middle and put a bonnet
on my head and few persons will suspect that
was not of the softer 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. Magge's pa was to
drive her to D., small village near where
she lived, and there she to join n sailing
party down D river, to the grove three miles
below; from which the party was to return in
the evening with carriages.


Our plan was, that should be waiting in the
village, and should go on the boat with the sail
ing party, while Maggie, after leaving her father,
should slip off with Bob Styles across the coun-
try.


At last got dressed, and presented myself
before Maggie, blushng great deal, | believe,
feeling very much pinched about the waist, and
with an uncomfortable consciousness 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 and drove
over to D, by secluded route, and left me
at the hotel where the sailing party to
assemble. Several of the picnicers were already
there, and they greeted my cavalier with
cordiality Everybody knew Bob Styles), asking
if he was going with them. lie told them he
not. ..--.
g Pressing business engagements you know,
and all that sort of thing Duced sorry can't
go, though. just had time TO orng Miss Lee
over, and now I'm Off. Mr.. Bimby, this is Miss
Lee. Miss Withergall, Miss Lee" and be ratified
off lorg string of brief introductions, which
convinced me that but few of the company were
acquainted with the young lady whom was
thus personating-a very fortunate thing for the
preservation of may disguise.


Mr.. Bimby, TALL legal-looking man, with a
hook nose, and eye-glass aud puffy hair, seemed
to be proposed with my personelle, and over
heard him whisper to Bob Styles, as he went



out: fi


/" Nice looking girl that Miss Lee"


"Yes I" answered Bob, with mischevous
glance at me, she is a nice girl, though little
go ahead sometimes. Keep little look out on
her, will you,'-then lowering his voice said
mot bad match for you, old fellow, she is rich -


"Is she, 'sad Bimby, bis interest deepening.


stOn my honor" replied Bob. I" Forty thou
sand dollars in her own right Day, day u and
he was gone.


Maggie Lee, artful creature as she was, had
told her father that the sailing party was to as
semble at another hotel, and 'thither he had
taken her. Having business in D., he left
her there, merely saying he would send the
carriage for her at eleven o'clock. She, like a
dutiful daughter, kissed and bid him good bye,
and before he had got 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 headstrong love and preju-
diced age, was enacted over again.


AS for us OF the picnic excursion, we had
delightful sail down to the grove, but somehow,
could not enjoy it as much as ought to have
done. When | walked on board the boat, felt
awkward, as If everybody was looking at me.
found Mr.. Bimby. as had suspected young
and rising lawyer, mighty in Blackstone and his
own opinion. He insisted on paying my fare
the boat was a regular excursion pecketl and
purchasing enough oranges, pears and candies,
to set up a street stand. Four or Ave times |
was on the point of swearing at his impudent Of
iciousness, but Dit my tongue just in time to
prevent my exposure. But it was not With him
that found my role the hardest to play. .'...


No; the young ladies were the difficult ones
to deceive. For instance there was one among
them, beautiful girl of seventeen, just returned
from boarding school, who had not seen Maggie
Lee for three years. Ofeourse she was delighted
to see me, and when she fourd out that was
Maggie Lee, which by,the way did not occur un-
ill after we had started. She threw herself into
my arms, pulled my veil aside, and kissed me
half dozen times, in manner that made my
finger ends tingle for an hour. 1t was all very
nice, but if had been in ProPria persona,
wonld have liked it better. AS It vas felt as
if were 'obtainng goods under false pre-
tenses,' and lawyer Bimby might issue a war
rant for my arrest on that ground at any moment.
/ A whole knot of crinoline then surrounded
me, on the upper deck Of the boat, to the utter