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

L was WhIStnng, L scarce knew what,
whether, bona fide tune, a refrain from
the masters, or q melody from the opera.
| often whlstled. l could rival any steam
engine in tie art, and used to give my
signal, when danger was near, with as
fine an effect.
Grandma said it was holdenish, and
Aunt Jane scolded until her spectaclcs
dropped down to the end of her nose,
telling me that should have been
boy, for girls ought to be lady-like, and
| never should be, So long as parted
my hair on the side and whistled. |
always paid respectful attention to these
frequent and entertaining lectures, with
out so much as saying a word and as
soon as | was i'll the mood | whistled
louder than ever.
The morning in question had indulg-
ed i'll my contraband amusement to an
alarming extent, while sweeping and
busting the rooms, feeding the chickens,
and watering the flowers, and so the
dear old guardians of my follies sent
perfect avalanche of remonstrances upon
my persistent head. In a moment |
was as silent as a certain saline statue
which tradition tells us stands somewhere
in the neighborhood of Sodon.; but as
soon as had finished my duties | called
Rollo--not daring TO whistle for him
and FASTENED off to my tavorite resort,
beneath the widespread branches OF an
oak that stood upon the bank Of the
creek. l was out of hearing, then, and
| sat down, threw my hat off, and began
to throw sticks i'll the water, and made
Rollo swim after them. All the time |
was thinking of what grandma and Aunt
Jane had been saying, and | wondered
why it was not "lady-like" to do whatev-
er was natural to the taste or disposition
| acknowledged to myself that they must
know great deal better than | did
about these things, that they had always
been kind to me, and ought to respect
their wishes and follow their advice so,
while in this repentant mood, | resolved
that for their benefit / would whistle no
more.
As if to put my resolution into immc-
diate practice, L arose, picked up my
hat called Rollo, and began whislling
right merrily, beating time in the sand
with stick l had in my hand AS soon
as l discovered my blunder 1 laughed
heartily, and exclaimed aloud:
otis no use; they can't make me up
for My Lady Prim; l must whistle.
Come on, Rolla, away to the house"
l was just on the eve of resuming my
tune, or whatever 1t was | had been
whistling, when voice, i'll very un-
earthly tone, drawled out:
"Prepare to pucker."
Rollo barked; my lips instantly re-
laXed; | looked all around me but seeing
no sign Of humanity, and not being as
conrageoes as switt-tooted, Ihad recourse
to the latter expedient, and never stop
ped until halt way up the garden, in
sight of the porch, where Aunt Jane sat |
shelllng peas. lives out of breath, but
the good dame made no remark, as it
was an every day affair for me to have a
chase with Rollo. l took a seat on the
step at Aunt James feet, and began to
help her in her employment, working
with an unusual dexterity, for my fingers
were twitching nervously, and my
MHOlc DcllS SIlll SHuuQeISu dG tlo |eEOf-
lection of that omirouS "prepare to |
pucker!''
l felt sorry when the peas were all
shelled. 1 knew should have to go to
my room for my work-basket, and L was
afraid to venture all alone up the wind
ing stairs, so asked my aunt if there
was anything she would like me to
do.
"Yes, Bertha; mother wants two
hanks ofyarn from the garret. Coz and
get them from the lot which hangs in the
farther end.n
was ever poor mortal sent upon a
more fearful expedition / started, men,
tally resolving | would do as had never
done before, but what I had often heard
of others doing, viz, whistle to ''keep my
up"
began tune when I left the latitude
of the sitting room, but, alas =
"Bertha !" shrieked my grandma, "stop
that noise -
eyes, ma'am," I replied, far up the !