The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-11-18
OR, MICK MURPHY AND THE Ghcsr.


AN incident occurred in the hotel Of
one Of the picturesque N arine villages
which skirt Lake Puntcharlrain, Oh a
certain occasion last summer, that ef-
fectually served to dispel the listless
enRWi too prevalent in such cases.
Among the guests there. for the
time being, was one Michael Murphy,
an eccentric. good.natured soul, from
what used to be, par srceilsace, the
land of potatoes, but which now may
be called the potato-less land. He
had been On "big bust" in the city
and went over the lake to dispel the
fumes OF his debauch and to take salt
baths and soda.water at the same time,
for
in sooth he was a shameless wight,
Fore gwen to reyel and ungcdly glee,
Few earthly things found favor in his sight,
Save cOncubine and carnal companie
And Haunting with sailors of high and low degree"
All thus became known to a ven.
triloquist, who paid a flying visit to
the place, and who had such command
over his voice that he could make it
do anything, from the squeaking of a
pig under the gate, 10 the singing of a
mocking bird. Believing that Michael
was Just about that time in an impressi-
bic state, in reform matorysmood, he
thought he would, through the medium
of his art, endeavor to effect change
in his morals. With this view he
booked his name for a bed in the
same room with Michael, and, about
twelve O'Clock at night-that hour the
superstitious m nd has so fraught with
terrors- he "pi ched his voice" out
side Of the door, saying, in kind Of
trombone tone,
michael Murphy! Michael Murphy!
are you asleep" E
"Who's that?" said Michael. much
startled at the sepulchra tone in
which the query was put and the time
Of putting it. /
"Ask me not but answer" said the
ventriIoquist, still continuinghis ghost
like accent.
"WeIl, what have you got to say?"
said Michael
Much Of which l want you to take
notice." said the ventriloquist or rath.
er the ventrilOquist's voice.
20, clear off," said Michael cor
else III give you your tay."
Better you had continued to take
tea than to break the pied as you
have DONE" said the voice outside the
door. /
"What is all this noise about?" said
the ventriloquist, speaking from the
bed.
"Some dirty blackguard that's out
side The door, there" said Michael,
interfering with what's none OF his bu-
sineSs."
"Why don't you drive him from it?"
said the ventrloquiSt, speaking from
he bed.
IL wish he'd dare" said the voice Of
he ventriIoquist, speaking outside of
he door.
"Be iahers. I'll let you see l dare?"
'aid Michael, jumping up, seizing his
hickory, hurriedly opening the door,
'eody, on sight, to knock down the
"Give it to him." said the ventrilo-
luSt, from the bed. #
Il believe it's the old boy himself
vas in i" said Michael, "for | don't
ec sowl here"
It's very mysterious" said the
1entrlloqui,t, It, from the bed. :
al WONDER" said Michael "if there's
any evil spirits in this countryl" /
Il don't know" said the venrilo-
1uist but they say the ghosts of de- /
parted lnIians haunts he eplace.
30. that's no Indian ghost" said c
"Ior it spoke as good English Il
is | do myself" , !,
"And a little better, Michael" said s.
L - - - ;f :. 49,. . .h|