Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-03-27
THE vENTRILOQUIsT's STORY,

Slgnor Won BIitZ was an humorous gen.
t'eman. who had the power of ventriIo-
quism. Travelling in the Southern coun-
try, he meets slave and asks him some
thing about the hotel. then in sight, kept
by Mr.. Lemond. Quash, Uhe slave, is
singing,
''Long time ago."
when the traveller accosls him, and after
question or two, thus inquiries:
Well, Quash, what kind Of person is
Mr.. Lemond?'
Oh, he nice man-mOnsusn nice man !;
empertain gempIemen in fust style, and |
take care Nv de horses. 'blongs to him,
and though say it, massa Billy mighty
clebber man. He funny man, too, tell a
heap O. stories bout CHOSE and spirits, not
withstanding he lraid on 'em heself, too
my opinion
Afraid of ghosts, eh,' said the traveller
musing. - Well, GO ahead, Quash-as it
is getting late, will stop with Mr.. Lee
mond tonight
Yes, sab: gee up hoe4dobbin! 60
along, lively = aud setting off at a brisk
trot, he was followed by the traveller the
musical Quash again broke out in,
"Gwine down to shinbone alley"
'The burden Of Long time ago. was
taken up by one apparently in an adjoln-
ing corn6eId, which occasioned Quash 10
pluck up his ears with some surprise; how
ever he continued with
"Long time ago."
And the same voice resounded again
from the field.
WHO dat!' said the astonished negro,
.suddenIy checking his horses and looking
round on every side for the cause of his
surprise.
oh never mind ;.xdrive ahead SNOWFALL,
its some of your masters spirits Isuppose.
Quash, in very thoughtful mood, led
the way TO the tavern without another VOID
Hating before the door. the stranger was
soon waited on by the obIiging Mr.. Lemond
a bustling taIkative gentleman who greet
ed his customers with Light, sir, light
here John! Quash never mind your nm.
brella, sIr-here, Quash, take off that trunk
walk in, sir, John take off that chair
box, come sir, and carry his horse to the
stabIe-do you prefer him to stand on {
dirt floor sir!'
IF you please sir. He is rather partic
ular abouthis lodgings
Garry him to the lower stable, Qnash
and attend to him well, always like tt
see a horse we'll tended, and this noble
critter too continued the landlord clapping
him on the back.
Take care. will you?' said the horse.
= What the deuce?' said the landlord
starting back. ~
- None ofzyour1amiiarity = said the
the horse, looking around at the astonish
ed tavern keeper.
Silence, BeIzebub, said the traveller
caressng" the animal; and turning to the
landlord observed you must excuse him
sir; he is rather an aristocratic horse, the
effect Of education sir
- He's witch sir
Wo hoa BeIzebub! loose these traces
Quash. What are you staring at? He'll
not eat Won
Come, andlord,' said Belzebub, Il
want my oats
AZ Quash scattered-the landlord backed
up into the porch-and the traveller was
fam to jump into bis vehicle and drive
round in search of the stable himself
Having succeeded 10 his satisfaction in
disPosing of his horse, he returned to the
tavern. KS
Anon, supper came on. The eggs had
apparently chickens in them-the land
lord, confused at such a mostifying cir
cumstance, promised the traveller amends
from a cold pig,which as heinserted the car
wing knife into it, uttered a piercing squeaI,
which was responded TO by louder one
from the landlady.. Down went the knife
and fork and the perspiration began to
grow in large drops upon the forehead of
the host, as he looked fearGully at the grun-
ter; his attention was taken, however, by
voice from without, calling out:
Hillo. house landlord =
Aye, coming gentIemen-more travel
lers-do help yourself, sir
Coming, gentlemen; here John, light,
bring light to the door. Sally, wait on
the gentlemen, land out the landlord boun-
ced, followed by John with lights, but soon
returned with looks of disappontment-he
declared there was no living being without.
The voice called agan-and the landlord,
after going, returned the second time, de-
claring his belief that the whole plantation
was haunted that night by evil spirits.
That night, rumor sayeth, Mr.. Billy
Lemond slept with the bible under his
head and kept candle burning in his
room till morning, and those who mass there