|
|
 |
 |
Southampton, April 4. A circumstance has occurred, in the neighborhood of a large town in Hampshire, which has occasioned much conversation. A young lady, twenty-three years of age, who will inherit a large property at her father's death, was recently discovered by him to be pregnant; and on the enraged parent's demanding to know who had been her seducer, she, to his utter astonishment, answered that is was her maid, Harriet. Harriet was immediately called before him, and an examination took place. [CH: I'll bet it did!] It appeared that the young lady, during a visit last June at a friend's house near London became acquainted with a handsome youth, who was shop-lad at a circulating library, of whom she became enamored, and a secret marriage was the consequence; but fearing her father's anger at such an unequal match (the youth being poor), the idea of being obliged to part with him gave birth to the following strategem: The youth assumed the female habit and accompanied his fair bride to her father's house, where he was, until within this fortnight, figured away as her maid. The old gentleman, however, is now reconciled to the loving couple, and Harry (alias Harriet) is as happy as wealth and beauty can make him. You see? There is nothing new under the sun. I am almost tempted to steal this plot for a book, but I doubt a cross-dressing hero would pass muster. :-)
|
|
candicehern.com |
 |
 |
 |
One of the several period magazines I collect is The Lady's Magazine. The complete title actually is: The Lady's Magazine or Entertaining Companion for the Fair Sex Appropriated soley for their Use and Amusement. Soley for your amusement, I am appropriating the following story, which was published in the April 1809 issue of the magazine, buried in the "Home News" section:
