44 
THE RAT. 
the more she read and reflected, the more she became- 
infatuated with the new American costume. At last she 
resolved upon adopting it, in order to cut a dash before her 
country cousins. The matter was soon broken to her parents, 
who as speedily fell into her views, being themselves natu- 
rally fond of anything showy and uncommon, and Bloomerism 
became the order of the day. A first-rate dressmaker was 
immediately sent for, by whom she was completely equipped, 
in the most costly style, — making altogether a sum total of 
£20, lis. 6d. Thus the charming girl, to the delight of her 
parents, appeared a first-rate Bloomer; and when the feast of 
admiration was over, the old gentleman insisted upon her going 
directly to her uncle's, and staying the night, when her 
mother should fetch her home in the morning. No sooner 
said than done ! The Irish servant, in her enthusiasm, with- 
out either cap or bonnet, ran through the streets, to bring 
a cab ; and as both residences lay close to the railroad- 
stations, one hour brought her to her imcle's farmhouse. Her 
aunt and cousins, two amiable, healthy country girls, seemed 
perfectly paralyzed with astonishment; nor did their dis- 
tended eyelids attempt to wink till she assured them, on the 
word of a lady, that she was their cousin, Eliza, from London. 
Why, hang it, lass," said her uncle, ^' beest it thee t Who- 
has dressed thee in a jacket and breeks ? Thee looks just 
like a player chap, as I seed in front of a show at Bartlemy 
Fair ! " " O uncle," said Eliza, " this is my new Bloomer 
dress ; it's all the' fashion now among gentlefolks ! " ^' Well, 
thank God," said he, we're not gentlefolks ! But come in, 
an' let's know how your father and mother are, and how 
Lunnun goes on." 
The evening was spent in sipping ale and cracking jokes, 
till bed-time was announced, when all retired to rest — Eliza, 
of course, to sleep with her cousins, as there w^as plenty of 
room, the bedstead being a large four-poster. After many 
a little conversation, and merriment, the light was put out, 
and in this retired spot all was dead silence. They had not 
been in bed many minutes, when there was a patter, patter, 
patter, followed by a bump, — after that came more j)atter, 
patters, when Eliza, in a subdued whisper, asked her cousins 
what it was ; they told her it was only the ^-rots," and that she 
was not to be afraid, for they wouldn't hurt her ! Now 
