Connecticut western news., 1879-04-30
THE PROFESSORS PROPOSAL.


 THE PROFESSORS PROPOSAL.
 If there was mischief in the eyes of Tom Kingsley, it was because he was up to mischief. This was no unusual cir cumstance, for it was rare thing to find Tom and not find him in mischief of some sort or another. On this occasion he was with his achoolmate, Jem.
 Tom and Jem had on various occasions played practical jokes on Professor Ren- gel, and the professor seemed to them 8 fit subject fo- their jokes. He wss tall, ungainly man, with scholarly stoop in his shoulders, head of bushy hair B much threaded with gray, a pair of mild, wise spectaeles, and a general air of per- plexed acquiescence in all mundane af- fairs whatever. The two boys had just been discussing their last joke and it's successful termination, and wondering what t.their genius could invent for the next trial, when Toms sister, May, came in with the remark
 ~s' Why don't you chow him ghost, . then?" queried May. 9TH help you, 7 and-''
 =. May!''' cried Tom, jumping to his feet and dancing the Fishers HorDpipe, "you're trunpl The professor never locks his door,"
 The two pairs of brown eyes looked at each other, and the respective owners of them barst out laughing, with the de- hghtful unanimity of sentiment that occurs whenever any specially delecta- ble piece of mischief is on foot.
 Jem in no way dissented from the programme, but, on the contrary, added some: timely suggestions. Tom con- sidered his friend the quickest witted mortal in the world, and 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 week had all their arrange ments completed. Jem YVES to person ate the ghost, Tom and his sister the audience, Tom having reluctantly yield. ed the post of distinction to Jem in con. sideration of his abilities.
 But when 1t came to the point the would-be ghost had new proposal te make. 'tLet's tell him to do something or other, he said" something that he would ne7er think of himself-so that weshaH kNow by that afterwards whether he believes in it all or not"
 This being hailed with exclamation Tom suggested that the professor should be commanded to wear cooked hat for month l; May, that he should make [, daily pilgrimage to the top of the meet ing-house hill for that length of time but Jem rejected both of these propos als they would be likely to bring abou discovery, and were not solemn enougl to be accredited to ghost. "No; i must be something that will affect hi whole life, he said, something of s much consequences that he would thinl it likely the spirits would be charged t. deliver it. We'll tell him he must go a missionary; or, no, better still. let tell him to marry somebody-May, here for instance he was always fond of he1 and she is right in the same house."
 But. unluckily, May is not fond c him, but of you" observed Tom, wicked ly.
 We'll, he doesn't know that. H will think it's his duty to ask her. An when she says no, he will wait for som new spiritual light. You don't mind, d you, May P
 May did mind very much at first, br the two boys, aided by her own sense fun, at last persuaded her into it. Pe1 haps the thought that it was sure to | discovered, and that the professor coul not possibly carry his credulity to tn, point, helped to quiet her conscience At any rate, she not only yielded, bu after the fashion of womenkind, was tt one to originate the boldest part of u scheme.
 eff let you do that, boys, you mu let me do what I want to-"
 Of course they both asked, "What it?"
 May refused to tell them. "You know soon enough" she said, with u mischieyous sparkles coming and goil in her brown eyes. "Only if don't 8 anything to spoil your fun, you mu promise not to spoil mine."
 They both gave this promise readil finding a new interest in their proje now that something not laid down in t plan might possibly happen.
 In about week everything was read and the night get for the ghostly visit tion. The professor after putting o his light, was just getting into bed st absorbed in the true interpretation ot difficult aorist construction, when t door creaked gently, seemed to swi