Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-02-05
The Virtue Of Ventriloquism.
MICK MURPHY AND THE GHOST.
ITO BE CONTINUED


An inciden: occurred in the hotel of
one of the picturesque marine villages
which skirt lake Pontchartrain, on a GER
tain occasion last summer that effectually
served to di.pel the listless ennui too
prevalent in such places. Among the
guests there, for the time being, was
Michael Marphy. an eccentric, good ma
tured soul, what used to be par excel
!ence i'll the land of potatoes, but which
now may be called potatoless land. He
had bocn on a big bust in the city, and
went over the lake to dispel the fanes Of
debauch, and lake salt baths aud soda
water at the came time
All this had 5eco me known to the
ven:riloq uis who had paid fly ing visi;
to the place, and who had such command
over his voice that he could make it do
anything, from the spueaking of pig
under the gate to the singing Of mock
ing bird. Believing that Michael was
just about that time in an impressible
state-in reformatory 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 for bed in the samo room with
Michael, and about twelve o'clock al
night-that hour TO superstitions minds
so fraught with tcrror-he pitched his
voice outside the door, saying in from
bone tone
"M;chacl Murphy Michael Murphy
are you asleep p
WHO'S that p said Michael, much
startled at the seprlchral tone in which
the query was put, and at the time OF
putting it.
"Ask me not, but answer" said the
ventriloquist, still continuing his ghost
like accent.
well, what have yor got to say p
said Michael.
Much of which l want you to take
uotice," said The ventriloquist. or rather
the ventriloquist's voice.
"Ob, clear off, said Michael, or else
III give you your tay."
Better had you confined to take tea
than to break the pledge, as you have
DONE" said the voice outside the door.
whats all this noise about 2" said
the ventriloquest, speaking from the bed
"Some dirty blackguard that's outside
the door there" said Michael. "interfer-
in with what's none of his business
"Why don't you drive him from it r
said the ventriloquiat from the bed.
81 wish he dare" said the voice out
side the door.
"Be jabers, I'll let you see I dare, u
said Michael, jumping up, seizing his
hickory. and hurriedIy opening the door
ready on sight to knock down the annoy
er.
"Give it to him. said the ventrilo-
quist from the bed.
BE gor, l believe it's the Old Boy
himself, was it, said Michael, for don't
see soul here"
ats very mysterious" said the ven
triloquist from the bed.
81 wonder" said Michael, "if there's
any evil spirits in this country g
"I don't know" said the ventriloquist
"but they say the ghosts Of departed In
dams haunt the place" 1851
"Oh," that was no Indians ghost" f"
said Michael, "for it spoke as good En-
glish as l do myself"
"And little better, Michael said the
voice, as if proceeding from one standing
by his side.
"Oh, the cross O. Christ about US"
said Michael "What are you. at all at
all p
"No evil spirit. but your guardian
genius" said the voice.
"a mortal queer famous you are said
Michael, "that can be heard and not
SEEN"
Get into bed, them" said the voice,
al have something to say to you"
"You won't do anything bad to me- -
said Michael. -.b ~
Nothing" said the voice. ~.
"Honor brigh :" said Michael.
Honor brigh," said the voice, ''You
know you have been hard liver"
That's fact" said Michael.
"You broke the pledge said the