Origin of the phrase "with bells on"

Factual Questions
1

Hi,

Can anyone tell me where the phrase “I’ll be there with bells on” came from? What is the origin of that phrase? I can’t find it anywhere.

Thank you,
Danielle

2

http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20000519 says that the origin isn’t clear, but offers some theories.

My Lighter cites it in phrases from 1899, and it seems that it was a popular expression around the first decade of the last century.