The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-10-27
Virtue Of VentriIOQuism.

| All luClu6Hl OCCURRED III tll0 uOlGt u
one of the picturesque marine villages
which skirt Lake Ponchartrain, on a
certain occasion, last summer, that eff
fectually served to dispel the listless
ennut too prevalent in such cases
Among the guests there, for the time
being, was one Michael Murphy, All
eccentric, good-natured soul, from what
used TO be, par excellence, the land of po.
tatoes, but which now may be called
the potato-less land. He had been on
"spree" in the city, and went over
the lake to dispel the fumes of his de-
bauch, and take salt-baths and soda
water ut the same time
All this became known to a ventrilo-
qnist, who paid flying visit to the
place, and who had such command
over his voice that he could make it do
anything, from the squeaking of pig
under the gate to the singing of a
mocking-bird. Believing that Michael
was just about that time in an impress
sible state, in reformatory mood, 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 / . O'Clock
at night-that hour the superStitious
mind has SO fraught with terrors-he
"pitched his voice" outside of the door,
saying, in a kind of trombone tone
Michael Murphy! Michael Muir
ply are you asleep?"
sWho's that w said Michael, much
startled at the sepulchral tone in which
the query was put, and the time of put
ting it.
"Ask me not but answer said the
ventriloquist, still continuing his ghost
like accent.
"Well, what have you got to say m
said Michael.
"Much of which | want you to take
notice." said the ventriloquist, or rath-
er the ventriloquist's voice.
"Oh, clear off" said Michael, cor
else I'll give you your tay."
Better you had continued to take
tea than 10 break the pledge, as you
have done," said the voice outside the
door.
"What is all this noise about 2" said
the ventriloquist, speaking from the
bed
Some dirty blackguard, that's out
side the door there" said Michael, Gin
terfering with what's none of his bust
ness.D
"Why don't you drive him from it 2"
said the ventriloquist, speaking from
the bed,
a wish he'd dare" said the voice of
the ventriIoquist speaking outside of
the door.
"Fll let You see that l dare,n said Mi
chael, jumping up, seizing his hickory, |
and hurriedly opening the door, ready, |
on sight, to knock down the annoyer. |
Give it to him." said the ventrilo-
quist, from the bed.
believe it's the old boy himself |
was in il" said Michael, " for l don't
see sowl here"
"It's very mysterious" isaid the ven
riloquist, from the bed.
I" / wonder" said Michael, +" if there's |
any evil spirits in this country 2"
~ don't know" said the ventrilo-
Iuist, : but they say.the ghosts of depart
ID Indians haunt the place.
oh, that's no Indian ghost" said
Michael, for it spoke as good English
IS do myself"
"And little better, Michael" said
he voice, as it proceeded from one
tanding by his side.
"Och," said Michael, "what are you
t all, at all 2"
"No evil spirit but your guardian
.enius," said the voice.
"a mortal queer genius you are,"
aid Michael, that can be heard and
OF seen.n
Get into bed, then," said the voice.
| have something to say TO you"
You won't do anything bad to me 2"
aid Michael.
Nothing" said the voice.
Honor bright ?" said Michael.
" Honor bright" said the voice.
You know you have been a hard t
ver.n
That's fact,D said Michael. t
g You have broke the pledge,n said t
le voice. Z
"Thrue as praychin," said Michael. c
"And did other bad things" said the
oice. q
:. :. More than could ever keep tally /
)" said Michael. q
."Then will you pledge yourself to
e, that you'll change your mode of v
fe % said the voice. O
Fll do anything you ask me-" said n
.ichael. :
" Then you promise never to drink a o
op again ?" said the voice. b
Not as much as would ibathe a v
ren's BILL" said Michael. Il
:" Then Pm off, said the voice, " but, il
member if ever you attempt to break
I'll be present and punish you D
rough life" q
+" Who is that with whom you are .
'lding conversation % said the ven d
loquist, speaking again from the bed. 81
Nobody at all, . said Michael. abarin'
me mighty polite, invisible gentle o.
an, that seems to take a great deal Of y
terest in my welfare.n c,