Washington sentinel., 1853-12-08
on, MIKE MURPHY AND THE GHOST.

about that time in an impressible state, in re-
formatory mood, he thought he would, through
the medium of his art, endeavor to effect a
change in his morals. With this view, he
booked his name for bed in the same room
with Michael, and about IL o'clock at night
that hour the superstitious mind has so
fraught with terrors-he "pitched his voice"
outside the door, saying, ina kind of trombone
tone
michael Murphyl Michael Murphy! are you
asleep?"
"Who's that?" said Michael, much startled
at the sepulchral tone in which the query was
put, and the time of putting it.
"Ask me not, but answer" said the ventrilo-
quist, still continuing his ghostlike accent
"Well what have you got to say?" said Mi
chael.
"Much, of which want you to take notice."
said the ventriloquist, or rather the ventrilo-
quists voice.
1Oh Clear off," said Michael, cor else I'll
give you your tay."
to break the pledge as you have done," said
the voice outside the door.
"What is all this noise about? ?" said the ven-
triloquist, speaking from the bed.
"Some dirty blackguard that's outside the
door there said Michael, "interfering with
what's none of his business"
"Why don't you drive him from it?' said the
ventriloquist, speaking from the bed.
II wish he'd dare" said the voice of the ven
triloquist speaking outside the door.
"I'll let you see dare," said Michael, jump
ing up, seizing his hickory, and hurriedly open
ing the door, ready, on sight, to knock down
the annoyer.
"Give it to him., said the ventriloquist, from
the bed.
II believe it's the old boy himself was in it."
said Michael, "for don't see sowl here"
ats very mysterious" I" said the ventriloqust,
from the bed.
"I wonder" said Michael, "if there's any
evil spirits in this country"
81 don't know" said the ventriloquist, shut
they say the ghosts of departed Indians haunt
the place"
"Oh, that's no Indian ghost" said Michael,
" for it spoke as good English as do myself"
"And little better, Michael" said the voice,
as if it proceeded from one standing by his side.
"Och,' said Michael, what are you at all,
at all p
"No evil spirit but your guardian genius" !"
said the voice.
"A mortal queer genius You are, that can be
heard and not seen," said Michael.
"Get into bed, then" said the voice, III have
something to say to you'
"You won't do anything bad to me- said
Michael
"Nothing," said the voice.
"Honor bright" said Michael.
"Honor bright" said the voice. You know
You have been a hard liver"
''That's fact" said Michael.
"You have broken the pledge" said the
voice.
"Thrue as praychin," said Michael.
"And did other bad things" said the voice
"More than could ever keep tally of" said
Michael
"Then will you pledge yourself to me, that
you will change your mode Of life2' said the
voice.
"Ill do anything you ask me, said Michael.
"Then you promise never to drink drop
again y said the voice.
"Not as much as would bathe wren's bill,"
said Michael.
"Then Pm off," said the voice, 'but, remem-
Der, if ever you attempt TO break it, I'll be
present and punish you through life.'
"Who is that with whom your are holding
conversation ?" said the ventrioqust, speaking
again from the bed.
"Nobody at ALL" said Mitchael, "barin'
some mighty polite, invisible gentleman, that
seems to take a great deal of interest in my
welfare"
"Oh, you're dreaming" said the ventrilo
quist, continuing to speak in 1ropria persona.
" Faix, it's like dream, shure enough
Michael
The next morning, friend asked Michael to
take his bitters. He consented but, just as he
took the glass in his hand, the voice Of the ven
triloquist, who was present. was heard above
his heard in the air, crying out, "touch it not,
Michael Murphy-remember your promised"
1t was enough-Michael would taste not.
"The pleasure of wine with you, Mr. Muir
phy," said gentleman at the dinner-table.
"With pleasure, sir" said Michael; but Just
at that moment a voice was heard to issue from
a corner of the room. It was that of the ven-
triloquist, who sat by his side, uttering his
admonitions.
Thus the thing went on for week, till
Michael was then and forever made teeto-
taller Of He now industriously minds his busi-
ness, enjoys good health and prospers. In re-
laton to the circumstances under which he be-
came teetotaler, he says he never had the
pleasure Of seeing his best friend.