The weekly Butte record., 1861-11-16
The VentriloQuist


with initiative powers, related to Us long since
an amusing adventure in which he played a
prominent part, that made US really envy his
faculty of manufacturing fun Our friend was
a lodger for the night at the Floyd House
Macon, Georgia. To use his own language
81 was lighted to my room in the fourth
story, at bedtime l had retired and was en-
ioying my selfconfession.' The room al
though elevated, was commodious. In the
/ hypothenuSe corner was another bed The
mooniust over the street, could scarcely, with
all its penetrating powers force its infected
rays into my room, owing to the cloudiness of
the atmosphere, and the bleached domestic
hanging before my windows. had been in
bed perhaps an half-hour, when heard foot
steps approaching my door. The door was
opened noslessly, and two men came in. l
could see there were two-ony when moving,
however My first thought was one of appre-
hension but upon their going silently to bed,
I resolved to play off little joke upon my
/ L
the country, with ophiclelde voice and lung
splitting cough. By his side apparently lay
his beloved companion, wedging in a word or
so of advice whenever opportunity offered a
chance. Even the innocent infant was not
| forgotten; aroused by the restlessness of its
parents, it manifested its veXation by plaintive
wailings. Old beloved became furious at
the disturbance-mamIna vented her spleen
upon baby, and confusion was fairly rioting
over in my corner About this time | saw a
head pop up from the other corner
80 Bob Bob = whispered the head Bob
burst my timbers if we havnt made a mistake,
and got into family room
90 Old man., whispered the old woman,
didn't you hear some one al the door,
"' No, no go to seep-you are always
thinking of ghosts
"The head brought out from under the
the cover body, and then legs.
g" Bob said the head you can stay if you
are mind to- but I'm going
"And out came head body, and legs, fol-
lowed by Bob, now aroused to full conscious
ness of the peculiar delicacy of his situation.
No time was taken to clothe themselves, for
the door was Immediately opened, and the
head and Bob disappeared.
at required all the nerve possessed to
restrain my laughter while my neighbors were
hastily decamping yet kept up the conver-
saton between the beloved and momma, and
the wailings of baby.
But few moments elapsed ere my door
was again opened and the barkeeper, with
candle, followed by the head and Bob
catered the room and approached my bed. l
feigned heavy sleep.
"s You see you are mistaken observed the
barkeeper.
"'I tell you,' replied the head that Bob
and I were in that bed yonder-see where we
crumpled it-and we heard a man, his wife,
and don't know how many children, over in
this corner
"The muscles of the barkeepers cheeks
began to twitch, and Bob seemed touched with
awakening intelligence.
"As profound as was my slumber, could
scarcely help from roaring out.
q" Do you believe that fellow has been play
ing a'prank on us?' asked the head
"'Well, it kinder looks that way, says the
barkeeper.
"The head approached my bed, laid his
hand roughly on my breast, and shook me Vi
oently.
"' Stranger straDgerl' said he, where's
that woman and baby?'
"I yawned, stretched, and rubbed up my
sleep-loaded eyes, and appeared astonished at
the unexpected visitation.
&c" Where's that woman and baby you bad
here?' repeated the head
"What woman and baby are you speaking
of ? said /, in utter astonishment.
"' All, poor innocent young man how sud-
denly ignorant you are. Getup from your bed
and follow US instantly
O. But, sir, /"
"' Get up, say
" l half arose, yet hesitated. The look of
the head was austere; yet barkeeper and
Bob were smiling.
*'Get out of bed and don't keep US here all
night
g 1 was irritated at this and springing to
the floor, demanded the caIse of my being
disturbed at that hour of the night.
"' No harm will be given you, stranger
said the barkeeper, with half-choked laugh.
"' For hiding that woman and baby said
the head with smile struggling at the
corner of bis mouth.
"' What do you wish with me 2 said has
tily putting on my clothes
as Arise and follow US, said the bead in
deep, sepulchral voice you are to meet the
fate of the royal beast who was drowned in
butt of malmsey.
Having finished my toilet, followed my
curious visitor to the hole in the wall was
led up to the bar and called upon, in the pres
ence of his honor, who presided behind, TO
make full confession of my capital offence.