very
beautiful boy, neatly dressed in a cloth jacket and cap, and possessing
a form of the most exquisite symmetry. This pretty and interesting lad
approached me, and tapping me playfully upon the cheek, said--

"My dear fellow, how do you like me now? Have I not made a change for
the better? How queenly I feel in this strange rig!"

It was of course Mrs. Raymond who addressed me. Her disguise was
perfect; never before had I seen so complete a transformation, even upon
the stage. No one would have suspected her to be otherwise than what she
seemed, a singularly delicate and handsome boy, apparently about sixteen
years of age.

I congratulated the lady upon the admirable appearance which she made in
her newly adopted costume, but expressed my regret that she should have
been compelled to part with her magnificent hair.

"There was no help for it," said she, laughing. "I confess that I
experienced some regret when I felt my hair tumbling from my shoulders;
but the loss was unavoidable, for those tresses would have betrayed my
sex. This good woman, here, proved to be a very expert barber."
Reflecting that a coarse suit of clothes would be just as good and
better, for a dusty road, than a fine suit of broadcloth, I made a
bargain with the proprietress of the shop to exchange my garments for
coarse ones of fustian, she giving me a reasonable sum to
counter-balance the great superiority of my wardrobe. This arrangement
was speedily completed, and I found myself suddenly transformed into a
rustic looking individual, who, in appearance, certainly deserved the
title of a perfect "greenhorn."

All parties being satisfied, I and my fair companion departed. In the
evening, having supped, we went to the theatre, where I revenged myself
upon the "heavy man," and the "light comedian," who had in the afternoon
made merry at my expense for carrying the harp, by getting up a hiss for
the former gentleman, who knew not one single word of his part, and by
hitting the latter individual upon the nose with an apple, for which
latter feat (as the actor was a great favorite,) I was hounded out of
the theatre, and narrowly escaped being carried to the watch-house. I
and my fair friend then took lodgings for the night at a neighboring
hotel.

FOOTNOTES:

[F] Some people imagine that New Jersey belongs to the United States.
That opinion I hold to be erroneous.

[G] In this, as in several other cases, I have used a fictitious name,
inas