The Arkansas banner., 1848-02-22
The Virtue of VentriIoqism,
oR, MIcK MrRFnY ANp rIfg GRos.


 An incident occurred tn the hosel of one of the pletasssqae marine villages which skirt Lake Pom chArtrain, on a ceFtain occasion last summer thnf eectuaiiy served te dspei the ssless eansiioo pre- valeat in such cases.-Amcng the guests therc, for the time bring, wHs one Michael Murphy, an cx- eentic, good natured soul from what used 10 be, par eroslieacs. tho land Of potatoes but which now may ls called the potatoless lsnd He had been on sig bust in tho city, and went over the lake to dispsl the fumes of his debaueh and take salt baths and soda uptes al the same time, for 's-----in socth he was a shaascisss weight, Sefe gives Co revei asd ungodly giee; Few earthly things found favor in his sight, Save cnncnbines and carnsl companic, And fiaunting wasmiiers of high and low degree"
 All this became known to ventriioquist, who Payed flying visit to the place, and who had such eospmand Sever his voice that be could make 1t do anything, from che squsaking of "a pig under gats, to the singing of . rnocking bird. Believing that Michael was just about that time in an impressible state, sa reformaiory mood, he thought he would through the medium of his art, endcavor to eff.et change in bis morals. With this view he booked his name Tor bed in the same room with Michael, and l9 o'clock at ught-that hour the supers'itious minds raught terrofshe pitched his voice. ou, side of the door, saying in kind of . trombone tone
 ssesp7's
 aWho's tsatf'' said Mlchael, maci, ssarted at the sepnishral. tone In which the query was put. and tAe time of putting it. ial
 sAsk me aot, but answer" said tho ventriloquist, stili continuing his ghost-like accent
 Welt what have yoa got to sayi" said Mich. . sMueh of which want you to take no.ice.s voice.
 70, clear of, said Michael. tor else I'll gis you your tay."
 ''Betier you had continued to take tea than to break the pledge as yoa have dene," said the voice outside the door.
 ~whats all this noise abou.f'' said the ventrilo- quist speaking from the bed. s
 "Some dirty blackguard that's eatside the door shsre," and Michael, 'interferin' with whats none eE hi. basiness.'
 se "why don't you drive him from i,i" said the yentriloqust, speaking from the bed
 "i wish he'd dare, said the voice of the ventril- oquist, speaking outside the door. ss
 "Be jahers II let you see dare," and Michael, jumping up, seizing his hickory and hurriedly op- enng the door, ready, on sight, 'o knock down the ennoyer.
 sGiye 1t 10 him., said the yentr;loon;s, f,oro inc hfs.I believe its the ouid Boy himself was in it.. said Michael, "ior don't see sowi here''
 '.its very mysterious" said the ventriIoquist frena the bed.
 .i wondher." said Michael" "if there's any evil spirits In this countryi''
 "l don't know" said the veutriioquist, .hut thsy sy ihs ghosts of departed Indian. haan. M shs
 70, that's no Indian ghost" said Michael. .for e speks as good Engiish as do myself" F sAnd litsle better, Michael :" said the voice. .. # Mpsoceeded from one standing by his side.
 co" said Micbaei. 'what are you at all, at ali- ths voice
 ...A mortal quesr genius yoa are, sald Michael, athas can be heard and not ssen,"
 'sGst Into the bed thsn,~ sid the voice, aI have something to say 10 yen."
 @ysa wsa't ds any thisg t.i to mef'. aid Mi- AhAsL
 ANssAins.s = sIa t.s vole..
 slysnes hsigat, ," sasd Mehasi. kass bseH hard lisss.''
 ~TAas's fact" sasd Michael. NYsu brske che pledge" seid the voice.
 sIhfue e prayehin.n said Michael.
 "And did ether bad things, said the voice.
 "hoss than ises could keep tally of" said Michael
 .Thsp. Wal yss pledre yourselfto me, ths, You II shangs year mode of life fsaid the voice. ' %Ish do snythisg yoa ssk me, said Michael Thea ysa promise never te drink drop sgan. said tho voice.
 .Nst as much ss would baihe wren's bill, said Miehael. .s s7hea I'm oR.n said the voice, ..but remember, yca ever .siernpt to break |, I'll be present and punish yeu iAseagh lEics"
 ssWho k tisf. with whom you are holding con- versaion 7'' said the veaihoquiss. speaking again from the bed.
 '.Nobody st all" said Michael .barins some mighty Plli'e, invisible gintleman that seems to take great interest In me welfars.''
 sDh, .ssa're drsan,iag," said the ventsioquist, continuing to yeak in Pfopvia perssaa.
 nFaix,. its Ike dream, shure enough" said Miclsaef e#s sss
 The next mernlag friend asked Michael to take Afs beters. fe consented, bat jass as he took the glass f his hand, he voice Of te yentfiioquist, who was present, was hesr shows his head, in the air, nsnahsr yoaF Prsnlss:" It was enough, Michael MouA hsse not. N,fke ntxaanra of vvfna vw1sA v.~ M. M...ks S