Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-02-04
MICK MURPHY AND THE GHOST.

Lake Pontchartraln; on a certain occasion IS
last summer, that effectually served to dispel !;
the listless ennui too prevalent in such places.
Among the guests there, for the time being, !.
was one Michael Murphy. an eccentric, good ,
natured soul. what used to be par excellence !
in the land of potatoes. but which now may !,
be called potatoless land. He had been, on a .
big hurst in the city, and went over the lake
to dispel the fumes of debauch, aud take salt
baths and soda water at the same time. sfa
All this became known to the ventriioanist 4
who had paid flying visit to the place. and /,
who had such command over his voice that he
could make it do anything. from the squeak>
ing of a pig under the gate to the singing of i
a mockine bird. Believing that Michael was
just about that time in an impressible state
ina retormatory mood -he thought he would, /.
through the medium of his art, endeavor to
effect favorable change in his morals With
this view he'booked his name tor a bed in the
same room with Michael, and at about twelve
o'clock at night-that hour tn superstitious ,
minds so fraurht with terror-he pitched his
voice outside the door, saying in a trombone
tone:
Michael Murphy! Michael Murphy ! are
you nseep?"
"Who's tha.2" said Michael, much startled
at the sepulchral tone in which the query
was put, and tho time of putting it.
''Ask me not. hut answer" said the ven>
triloquist. still continuing his chostly accent.
well, what have you got to sayy" said ,
Michael ~,
Much of which ] want you to take no,
tice, said the ventriloquist, or rather the
ventriloquist voice. s
10, clear off," said Michael, cor else I'll
give you your tay." a-y &
'Better had you continued to take tea than
70 hrnot- fbo ,11a 4
tho voice outside the door.
Whats all this noise about 2" said the :
ventroliqnist, speaking from the bed
"Some dirty blackguard that's. outside the
door there" said Michael, "interferin' with
what's none of his business"
"Why don't yon drive him from it ?" said
the ventriloqnist from the he'd
~ wish he dare" said the voice outside
the door.
''l}e jnhers, TIL let you SEQ I dare," said
Michael, jnmping up. seizing his hickory and
hnrrIedlv orening the door, ready on sight to
knock down the annover.
"Give to him." said dtheven'riloquist from
the bed
'.Be gor, believe it's the Oh Bow him.
self was 1t, T" said Michael, "for don't see
soul here"
Its very mysterious" said the veutrilo>
quist from the bed
Il wonder. said Michael, ''if there's any
evil spirits in this country ?''
II don't know" said the ventriloouist.
'but they say the ghost of departed Indians
haunt tho place" sie.4.
"O," that was no Indians ghost" said
Michael, "for itspOke as good English as do
myself"
"And little better, Michel" said the
voice, as if proceeding from one standing by
his side.
90, the cross o. Christ about .us'' said
Michael. "tWhat are you Mt all at all? ?"
mo evil spirit, but your guardian genius"
said the voice. ~
GA mortal queer janious yon are," said
Michael. "th"t can he heard aud not seen"
Get into bed, then" snid the voice, ..I
have something to say to you"
"Y"u won't do anything bad to me-" said
Michael ,'f,j
.Nothinc," said the voice.
"Honor hri.h. 2" said Michael. r.,.
"Iionor bright" said the voice, "you know
you have been hard liver"
"That's fact" said Michael.
'.You brnke the pledge" said the voice.
''More than ever could keep tally off,
said Michael
Then you'll pledge yourself to me, that
you'll change your mode of lifeY said the
voice.
"Pll "nything you ask me" said Michael.
'.Then I'm of, said the voice, 'but res,
member. II you a'tPmIt tn break il I'll be
present and punish you through life"
Who is that with whom you are holding
conversation z" said the ventriloquist, speak,
ing again from the bed. se
''Devi a one at all. sad Michael, "barrin'
some mighty polite, invisible gentleman, that,
seems to take great interest in my welfare"
20. you are dreaming" said the ven
triloquist, continuing to speak in propria per-
sona
''Faiz. it's like dream, sure enough"
said Michael.
The next morning friend asked Michael
to take his hitters. He consented, bnt Just
az he took the glass in his hand, the voice of
the ven'riI quist, who was present, was heard
above his head. in the air. crying out Touch
it not, Michael Murphy-remember your
promise" 1t was enough, Michael would
not taste.
-.The pleasure of the wine with you, Mr.
Murrhy." said gentleman at the table.
s'With pleasure, sir" said Michael, but
Just at that moment q voice was heard 10 is--i
sue from the corner If the room it was that
of the venrriloquist,- who sa. by his side, ut
tering his admnnition.
Thus the thing went on for a week, till
MichaeI was then ana forever maoe teeto-
taller. He now industrious'y minds his busi-
ness. enjoys good health and prospers. In
relation TO the circumstances under which he
became teet0taIer, he says he never had the,
pleasure of seeing his best friend.
TIE DOLLARS The word dollar, 90 f.,.
miliar to all, and 50 important to most of
US, comes from the German "7Hnl," which
means "vaIley." Now by what process can
you imagine this word has been made to mean
piece, or sum Of money, worth in our cur.
rency one hundred cents2 The Dictionary
cears Nh the mrsterr Thai rnoan;n- ILL.,