Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-24

Il was only afraid father would hear
the noise, and stop the fun,' gasped be
at last, when he was able to speak
luckily he didn't come in till it was all
over. suggested to the professor tha,
1t might brighten mother if he was to
mention it at the table. and he has been
as mum about it as possible ever since
May, we can make him believe any.
thing-anything whatever. Ii l told
him there were ghosts In the house, he'd d
put out his light and sit watching fol
one the very next night 7.....
why don't you show him a ghost
thenP' queried May. You know we
read how they did 1t at the spiritualistit
seances. I'll help you, and ... 4.....-
'May!' cried Tom, jumping to his
feet and dancing the Fishers Hornplpe
you're q trump! Just wait till Jem
comes, and we'll have it al fixed. The
professor never locks his door,
The two pairs of brown eyes looked
at each other, and the respective owners
Of them burst out laughing, with the de-
lightlul unanimity OF sentiment thai
occurs whenever any specially delecta
BILE piece of mischief IS on foot.
Jem in no way dissented from the
programme when he presented himself
ut night, but, on the contrary, added
some timely suggestions. Tom consld.
cred his friend the quickest-witted NOR
tai in the world. and handsome fellow
besides, which last was true enough
The young people soon found out thai
to copy the spirits successfully required
more time and practice than they hat
counted upon, their ghostly adviser!
having failed to provide any short roat
to perfection. They were very patient,
however, as people will be when en-
gagged in something with which they
have no manner Of business, and in
about week had all their arrangements
completed. Jem was to personate the
ghost, Tom and his sister the audience
Tom having reluctantly yielded the pos
of distinction to Jem in consideration o
his abilities. .....-.. ....... ...........
But when it came to the point, the
would-be ghost had new proposal to
or other,' he said-'somcthlng that he
would never think OF thimself-so that we
shall know by that atterward whether
he believes in it all or not '.' CUB -l'.'
This being hal ed with acclamation.
Tom suggested that the professor should
be commanded to wear a cooked hat for
a month May, that he should make q
daily pilgrimage to the top of Meeting
house hill tor that length of time. But
Jem rejected both of these proposals
they would be liable to bring about dis.
coyerY, and were not solemn enough to
be accredited to ghost. 7" ' -
NO; it must be something that will
affect his whole lite,' he said-'some.
thing OF so much consequence that he
would think it likely the spirits would
be charged to deliver it. Well tell him
he must GO as missionary ; or, no, bet
ter still, let's tell him to marry some
body-May, here. for instance; he was
always fond of her, and she is right ir
the same house, . t~-r
But unluckily. May is not fond of him
but OF you.' observed Tom wlckedly.
well, he doesn't know that. He will
think it's his duty to ask her. Ant
when she says no. he will wait for some
new spiritual light. You don't mind,
do you. May?' .
May did mind very much at first, bu
the two boys, aided by her own sense o.
fun, at last persuaded her into it. Per
haps the thought that 1t was sure to be
discovered, and that the professor coulc
not possibly carry his credulity to that
point, helped to quiet her conscience.
At any rate, she not only yielded, but
after the fashion of womankind, was the
one to originate the boldest part of the
scheme.
If let you do that, boys. you must
let me do what 7 want to-
OF course they both asked What is
itp'
May refused to tell them. You'll
know soon enough she said, with the
mischievous sparkles coming and going
in her brown eyes. Only, if l don'l
say anything to spoil your iun, you must
promise not to spoil NINE
They both gave this promise very
readily, finding a new interest in their
project now that something not laid
down In the plan might possibly hap
pen.
In about week everything was ready.
and the night set tor the ghostly vista
ton. The professor after putting out
his light was just getting into bed, still
absorbed in the true Interpretation OF a
difficult aorlst construction, when the
door creaked gently, seemed to swing
open of itself, with faint blue light
encircling it, and general misty un-
certainty OF outline that might be attrib-
uted to the shifting of some thick vapor,
L,,& III rrh l,,
suggestive of uncorporeal spirits.
Bless me! bless me = said Professor
Rensel. staring at this vision. Who
are you, my friend?'
4 am disembodied spirit replied q
sepulchral voice.
Dear. dear! what a pity! Can't
can't anything be done for youp'
Nothing. am sent to YOU
well, my friend. l am hereafter a
pause, in which he seemed to imagine
that the embarrassed spirit required
some encouragement. His face shone
with mild benevolence, Il am here.
he repeated. What can do for you p
The blue light was shaken for mo-
ment, as if the spectral visitor was dis
turbed by this tantalizing calmness, and
even disposed to back out of the situa-
ton. Then the sepulchral voice replied,
You are commanded to marry May
Kingsley
'HowP Whatp My good friend, you
are talking like a-ghustr exclaimed
the astonished professor A slight flush
rose to his benevolent face.
You are commanded to do it, re-
peated the spirit. mon otonously.
Bless me! bless me! 1t isn't posi-
ble.'
With US. all things are possible
'Indeed?' SAID the professor. inquir-
ingly. Indeed? he repeated. with as
much deliberatlon as if he were address
sing his classes. We'll, well. Let us
consider that settled, and-and pass on
to something else.' with certain mild
dignity, as il he objected to discussing g
the lady they had named even with u
ghost. He was evidently disposed to
be hospltable. but somewhat at less
how to entertain his visitor.
You are not said the professor,
glancing hesitatingly 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 il YOU
could-lf you could be persuaded TO give