Smyrna times., 1859-07-07
VENTRIL0QUIsM I'M A TUNNEL.

Many. amusing anecdotes of Fentrilo0uists
have been published, and many more told that
have not been published But we think there
are few ventrllOquial incidents that will COM
pare with one we witnessed recently on the cars
of the Virginia Central Railroad. We have read
anecdotes of Nichols, Kcnworthy, Dove, Sutton,
Harrington and Bitz, but think TIE following
actual occurrence will bear favorable mention
side by side with either:
Tbs cars left Charlottesville, Va, for Stauntor,
at IL NJ, and entered the tunnel which is very
long and very dark, about half past p. NJ
We had hardly been shut out from daylight,
when noise was heard IN The rear end of the
car. The conductor and several passengers,
who were standing on the platform, entered the
car with view of discovering the cause of the
disturbance. But owing to the extreme dark.
ness, nothing could be seen. While patiently
waiting to hear the slightest movement, which
might explain the excitement, boisterOus
noise, resembling the sound produced by ferv.
ent kissing, and al the same moment a female
voice was heard exclaiming:
"Get OUT you brute! Let me alone! I'll
call the conductor Keep you hands off, sir!-
This is Shameful
Where is he 7" cried the conductor in an
angry tone, approaching the direction whence
the sound proceeded.
Here !" said the lady, " this end of the car,
arrest him, he insulted me ehamefulIy-here
he is again! Will you let me alone | think
it is a burning shame that respectable lady
should be treated in this manner!"
"Get in the ladies' car, then !" shouted a
gruf voice. "You have no business here"
"She has a right here ~ replied the conduc.
tor, sezing the individual he supposed guilty
of the misdemeanor.
"You needn't grab me - said husky
voiced old man. al didn't touch her; hayn't
seen a woman in the car"
The conductor seemed confused, and ced
his steps TO the forward end of the car. Again
the voice was heard apparently in the rear.
"Here he is again, conductor! Go away
Quit! Let me alone! This is shameful -
Keep your hands to yourself, sir I'll leave
the car! You follow If you dare"
This language was followed by an explosion
resembling the conclusion of two lips. All was
confusion. The sympathizing passengers were
all standing up, highly excited, but owing TO
the darkness and the uncertainty that existed
! from whence tho sounds proceeded, nothing
was done. a noise like the rustlng of silk
was heard, the rear door of the car opened and
then closed with banging sound, making the
extraordinary stiffness which followed fsa rflI
to contemplate, which fearfulness increased ia
horror, when the conductor announced that The
lady must have stepped off the platform, as there
was no car attached.
The cars were stopped by the signal rope ard
lantern procured. when the passengers, head
ed by the conductor, CROPPED slowly and silently
back through the tunnel, expecting momentarily
to discover the mutilated remains of the untor.
tunate female. But after searching back to
the mouth Of the tunnel, nothing was found and
they sadly retrsced their steps
Upon arriving at the train passenger sug.
gested that the cause of the excitement be or.
rested, and in the cars went the party search.
ing every seat until they cume to a person,
leaning forward on the back of seat in front
of him, apparently asleep. The conductor
t roughly shook the sleeper, when be raised hi:
head, when, 10 ! aud behold ii was Wyman, the
ventriloqust
The party very reluctantly swallowed IN,
unmitgated "sell." The cars started and spe,
: on to their place of destination. having beer
: detained one hour over time.