Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-02-21

tculer, yerifes the assertion. A com
mon interest, common sentiment de-
veloped the truth OF another old saying,
viz; In union there is strength
Recognizing this principle Of ethics,
Miss Polly Pokestalk and Miss Betsy
Beauvine determined to call meeting
Of the marriageable girls in the settle
ment in order to form an alliance, offen-
siye and defensive, against the common
enemy. Even a last years dress was
cut up to make another quilt, and the
next week, at the residence of Samuel
Pokestalk, Esq. they met in solemn
conclave to deliberate on the affair.
The writer of this veritable chronicle
is not called upon to record the proceed
ings of that august assemblage, nor to
discuss the plan of operations that was
agreed upon. II is only proper to state
that after all the plans had been matured,
one voice, hitherto silent, was raised in
earnest and eloquent dissent. 1t was
the voice of Laura Boardman, the daugh-
ter Of the poor widow who lived in the
upper edge Of Nipscissors. Her mi
nority report" had no other effect, how
ever, than to exclude her from the con-
ellis of her sisterhood, and render her an
object of suspicion. sfEol oT
Corollary to the main campaign, the
details of which are securely locked up
in the unwritten archives Of Nipscissors
was a grand serenade' to be gotten up
and executed by female hands exclus-
lively. Be it understood, however, that
a serenade in Nipscissors in the days Of
| Oh, la
anything but noise. There were no
trained voices, and no exquisite perform
ances on s.ringed OF wind instruments
to charm the ear and inspire soft senti-
ments in the heart. Tin pans, blowing
horns and the like we're more in vogue
and since these were used by our fathers
we confess to a sort Of weakness for the
same old internal, ding-dong, uproarious
style of proceeding tiHf 1924 81 ;
The night was, set, and came. Each
Of the fair musicians, Laura. Boardman
excepted, was punctual in putting in an
appearance. Such an array of instru-
ments as was there exhibited would
render the leader of modern orchestra
fit subject for lunatic asylum. There
were two. ,violins with FIVE strings be-
tween them, one banjo with one string,
four tin pans, two tin buckets, three cow
bells, one blowing horn and one baby
whistle. Haa itn
Thus provided and equipped the sere-
naders sailed forth, and, under a cloud
less sky and lighted by a splendid moon,
they walked bravely on. II was. near
mile to the objective point, and about
half way was large branch, or creek to
be crossed. The bachelor had felled a
large sapling across the channel, safe
enough by daylight, but rather ticklish
footing by moonshine. The foremost OF
the party crossed over in safety, but
when awkward Nancy Long, the sixth
one who essayed the perilous undertak-
ing was about midway the stream, she
made misstep and went down feet fore
most In the clear water, where she stood
immersed to her waist. In her fright
she dropped her violin which hoated off
maiesticaliy down the stream.
Poor Nancy crawled out unhurt, but
this incident so frightened the remainder
of the party that none of them would
undertake to cross on SO frail bridge,
A Acouncil of war was called to decide
whether the enterprise should be aban-
doned or not. Those who were already
across would not entertain such prop
osition, and it was finally agreed that the
rest should 60 up to the ford, distance
Of dozen yards, and wade the branch,
as it was very shallow. oai So
Having all crossed over in safety and
redonned the foot-gear which had been
removed while the wading process was
going on, the serenaders again set for
ward, poor Nancy Long bringing up the
rear, her saturated clothing impeding her
progress and not particularly enhancing
her attractiveness. ff Iro Wsf
About quarter of mile further, as
they were going up a hill, something
white and ghostly suddenly rose up right
in their path and confronted them with a
threatening snort. With a terrified
shrek, those in front whirled and es-
sayed retreat in double-quiok time. As
poor Nancy turned, a root or a stray
brush threw her down, and the others,
falling ever her, there was quite pile Of
frightened girls and clangiRg tinware
tumbled together in charming confusion.
This was too much for the nerves of the |
ghostly monster, and with hideous bel |
low and a magnificent erection Of the |
caudal extremity, an old white COW went
galloping up the hill When the fright
ened girls realized the situation, they
burst into hearty laugh and picked |
themselves up. ,,.t..f
The order was given for another for
ward movement, and the line of march |
was again taken up. Without further
misbap the abode of the bachelor was
reached, and all around It was silent as
the grave. A halt was ordered, and the
commanderin-ehief, Miss Polly Poke
stalk, proceeded TO give her final orders
A ! rail fence around the house was first
to be crossed. Noiselessly the rails, one
by one, we're laid of, and the whole party
stood inside the door yard. A shrill toot
on the blowing horn was the signal for
the band 10 strike up.
Tootl tootI rRttle-te-baHg ding-dongl
squeak! squeak went the in
strunents in dire confusion, and sinul-
taneus with the first note, old Rover, un-
der the house, set up dismal howl. A
hurricane was oppresslyely
quiet beside that serenade. .asiiataii ~
Whether Will Crosby was really
alarmed or not is not known, but depo-
nent firmly believes that he was At
any rate, in a moment be was heard to
leap from his bed TO the middle Of the
aoor, and, With xhSop, loud and shrill
as an Indian, began urging Rover on,
bY bis masters voice, the !
faithful animal aads an ugly charge.
This was too much foE the besiegers,
and they fed in hopeless confusion. ]
Over fences, logs aud brush piles, |
through briar patches and tree-tops they !
vent, each one following a course Of her
1wn. To add to their CONSERVATION, a I
shotgun was fred from {
he door, and the shot came whistling in 4
proximity to some Of the !