Litchfield enquirer., 1879-05-08
sentiment that occurs whenever any specially

 gramme when he presented himself at night, but, on the contrary, added some timely sug- gestioBs. Tom considered his friend the qliickest-witted mortal in the world. and a handsome fellow besides, which last was true enough The young people soon found out that to copy the spirits successfully required more time and practice than they had counted upon, their ghostly advisers having failed to provide any short road to perfection. They were very patient, however as people will be when engaged in something with which they have no manner of business, and in about a week had all their arrangements completed. Jem was to personate the ghost, Tom aud his sister the audience, Tom having reluctantly yielded the post of distinction to Jem in con- sideration of his abilities.
 But when It came to the point, the would be ghost had new proposal to make ''Let's tell him to do something or other" he said something that he would never think of him self -so that we shall know by that afterwar'i whetler he believes in it all or not.".
 This being hailed with exclamation, Tom suggested that the professor should be com mansled to wear q cooked hat for month :; May, that he should make daily pilgrimage to tE.e top of Meeting house Hill for that lenGs1 of. time. But Jem rejected both of these proposals; they would be liable to bring abosft discovery, ard were not solemn enough to be accredited to ghost
 No; itsmust be something that will affect his whole life" he said something of so much conseguenc that he would think it likely tha spirits would be charged to deliver it. We'll tell him he must go as missionary 0 , ao, better still, let's tell him to marry some. bedy-May, here, for instance: he was always fond of her, and she is right in the saNe house.
 ''But, unluckily, May is not fond of him, bat of you, observed Tom, wickedly.
 N''Weil, he doesn't know that. He will think it's his duty to ask her. And when sic says no he will wait for some new spiritual light. You don't mind, do you, May:'
 May did mind very much at first, but the two boys, aided by her own sense of fun, at last persuaded her into it. Perhaps she thought that IS WIS suro-t to be discovered, and that the professor could not possibly carry his creduli. ty to that point, helped quiet her conscience, At any rate, she not only yielded, but, afte, the fashion of womankind, was the one to orig mate the boldest part of the scheme.
 If I let you do that boys, you must let Inc do what want to-"
 Of course they both asked. "What is it 9
 May refused to tell them. "Yeu'l know soon enough" she said, with a mischievous SpuIhl6 C0LlIlS anu SOlHSo Ill ASi bio"u ''Only. if don't say anything to spoil your fun, you must promise not to spoil mne''
 They both gave this promise very readily, finding new interest in their project now that something not laid down in the plan might possibly happen.
 In about week everything was ready, and the night set for the ghostly visitation. The professor, after putting out his light, was just getting into bed, still absorbed in the true in- depreciation of a difficult aorist construction, when the door creaked gently, seeming to swing open of itself, and prG seltiy, 10 his as tonished eyes, tall white figure presented it. self, with faint blue light encircling it, and general misty uncertainty of outline that might be attributed to the shifting of some thick vapor, but to an uninitated person was highly suggestive of uncorporeal spirits.
 Bless me bless !" said Professor Ken. sel, staring at this vision. ''Who are you, my friend ?,'
 Il am disembodied spirit,., replied a se- pulchral voice.
 Dear, dearl what pity! Can't-can't anything be done for you ?"
 ''Nothing 1 am sent to you"
 ''Well, my friend, am here"-after pause, in which he seemed to imagine that the embar- rassed spirit required some encouragement. His face shone with mlld benevOlence. ''I am here, he repeated.
 "What can I do for you p
 The blue light was shaken for moment, as if the spectral visitor was disturbed by this tantalizing calmness, and even disposed to back out of the situation. Then the sepul- chral voice replied, "You are commanded to marry Mary Kingsley"
 ''How? What? My good friend, you are talking like a. ghost!" exclaimed the aston ished professor A slight flush rose to hls be- nevolent face.
 ''You are commanded to do it,. repeated the spirit, monOtononsly.
 "Bless me! bless me! It isn't possible
 "With us, all things are possible"
 ''Indeed ?" said the professor, inquiringly.
 'Indeed." he repeated, with as much de- . "Well, we'll. Let us consider that settled, and-and pass on to something else," with a certain mild dignity, as if he objected to dis cussing the lady they had named even with a ghost. He was evidently disposed to be hos pitahle, but somewhat at loss how ts entertain his visitor.
 ''Yeu are not" said the professor, glaucing at the suggestive blue light, ':from the celestial regions, am afraid p
 ''No."
 ''Dear me dear me. what a pity! It must be very unpleasant. Yet if you could if you could be persuaded to give me little information about the other place The truth is I have young friend who is going that way, I very much fear, and"
 Here something not laid down in the pro- gramme happened: the ghost incontinently bolted. blue light and ali. Outside there was a suspicious scuffiing and hurrying of feet that may have been produced spirit ually, but was very like scampering humani- ty.
 The professor deliberately got up and closed the door, murmuring to himself: ''Nery singu- lar-very singular indeed :"
 The same embarrassed flush still fingered on his face, but he got into bed and went calmly to sleep, as if nothing unusual had happen. ed.
 Meanwhile the ghost and the audience were holding hurried consultation down stairs All three were considerably taken aback
 ''He knew us" said Jem, discopsolately. He must have known us the very first thing His young friend! That was cool, at any rate. Which of us does he mean, Tom-you or me?"
 Perhaps he didn't know himself which it was" said Tom.
 As neither of them could settle this point. they at least adjourned to Bed, each, perhaps, with little sense of discomforture under all his merriment.
 The next morning, after watching Tom out of the house, May sat down to some feminine work of her own, to ponder over their illfated schemes, when in walked Professor Rensel, who was supposed to be safe in his class room. May was aghast at the sight of him.
 ''Now for it v she thought. Ut is toe bad I should have to take the scold1ng alone"
 For it could not but be that even so mild a man would be angry at such an escapade. True, he could not know of her share in it, but then it was nearly as bad to have Tom made the scape- goat.
 Miss May was an audacious young lady, but conscience made coward of her, and she dared not look up or ask him why he was not at school.
 ''Why don't he begin p she unused, still keeping her eyes on her work, as the tall figure shuffied uneasily round the room.
 Presently the professor stopped in front of her and cleared his throat. My dear Miss May, do you think you could ever bring your self to marry me p
 The work fell out of her hands, and May sat fairly dumb with astonishment. The pro- lessor picked it up again for her
 'l am much older than yourself, Miss May" he went on, ''an1 a very aWak ward man in