Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1868-12-12

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ken my halfformed resolution, without
exciting the suspicion that hadtaken a
step toward Aunt James code of eti-
quette. The more thought, the more
dissatisfied l grew, and, after exclalming
aloud, "Oh. dear, l wish Rob would
come!" l added, "Now I'll practice 'An-
ME Laurie and just show him that l
dare whistle, if will"
So | began as cleverly as ever, until
just as l reached the strain-ssI lay me
down and dee"-the words occurring in
my mind only-the dreaded voice utter
ed the fearful warning, "Prepare to puck
The "dee"ing didn't seem so desirable
under the circumstances, but, fearing that
| was duPed by my imagination, 1 tried
1t AGAIN. Then the tones sounded. hoarse-
ly IN my ear the same disagreeabIe
words.
Forgetting Rob and everything else, |
ran to the house without stopping, re-
solving that l would never whistle again
to please anybody.
Weeks passed, and no Rob. Aunt
Jane went over to the farm, and learned
that he had been sent away on important
business for his father, so | did not sec
him for three months after that memora-
BILE evening.
Grandma and Anntie were delighted
to notice the change in my habits, and
congratulated me upon my success in
conquering my fault. l felt guilty when
| received their praises, without a word
of explanation ; how could tell them of
the evil genius which haunted me, when
the dear old souls believed me a convert
to their teachings? =? did not wish to be
lady-like and refined, and did not want
to whistle; but it was impos ,ib.e with
such an embargo upon my lips, so left
them to enjoy the imaginary fruit ofthe:r
labors, and kept my secret shut up in ny
own breast.
never went to the oak. but always
walked in an opposite direction. was
no coward with the real before me;
could take the offensive or the defensive
as the case required, but could not
fight with shadows or battle with the
unseen, so l withdrew from the field,
acknowledged myself vanquished, and So
laced myself with the truiSm, Discretion
is the better part of valor"
The bright October days had come
when Cousin Rob made his appearance
quite unexpectedly. How well he oked
with his bright ey 9, and rogltish smile,
his manly bearing and clever words, and
how quickly l responded to his call:
"Come, Bert, throw down that work,
and let's have walk"
(Which way, Rob? ?'' asked, as I tied
on my hat, and proceeded to draw my
shawl around me.
"Te the oak to the oak, of course r'
he answered, at the same time looking
down into my eyes.
A shadow orept over my face. There
was something in Rob's eye that didn't
like, and the dimpled twitches about his
mouth were more mischievous thar ever. |
L was little disconnected, but determin-
ed to send out my pickets to watch his
movements, so that I should not be sur
prised. 1t is needless to say that for
got all aboat this when we reached the
oak tree, and the dying leaves rustled
beneath our tread. Taking our seats, we
talked of the by-gone, and of all that
happened since we were there together.
"By the way, Bert" inquired Rob, "do
you whistle nowadays 2"
''No, Rob, Idon't; am cured, and |
never expect to indulge in that way
again." | replied, emphatiealIy.
"Wh-e-w p shrieked Bob, in mis-
erably provoking way.
Then, springing to his feet, he broke
forth into a prolonged fit OF laughter,
while stood looking at him, wondering
whether he was simply amused or entire
ly crazy.
"WelI, sir, what's the matter now? 9"
l asked. Is this the way to make fun of
your cousin %
Seeing my flushed face and hearing
my indignant tones, Rob checked his
laughter, and taking me by tha arm,
pointed up into the tree, his cap falling
off as he leaned backward, and | caught
it,
"Look, cousin DEAR" he said, his words
being fianked by the outbursts of mcrri-
ment, which did not help me to feel any
more comfortable at the sight.
There, among the branches of the oak,
where they intertwined and made dense
shaie, was constructed rural chair, and
there were Bob's books, piled up and
protected by little roof. which served
for desk.
"Why, that's very cozy, Bob !" ex-
claimed, in unfeigned delight. "When
did you arrange it 2"
"Early in the summer, Bert"
"And you meyer showed it to me be-
forer p l exclaimed.
ebert, what did you think kept me
away the morning told you was COM
ing here to read % Bob inquired, with.
out paying the slightest heed to my ex-
clamation.
81 supposed uncle wanted you, of
course" l answered.
"a charitable supposition, truly" he
replied, and then, with his face full OF
merriment, added; "Why, Bert, | was
here all the while and did read while you
worked"
Light was breaking over the hitherto
darkened east of my mind, as l said:
But the full dawn came as he stepped
back, and that well known voice once
more uttered:
''Prepare to pucker !"
+l,a, 7 |