"Why, DADDY ON HIS KNEES TO THAT THERE FANCY DANCER, Grace
Somerset! Now, if Mammy's ghost is meanderin' round, why, et's
about time she left the cemetery and put in an appearance in
Jackson's Hall. Thet's all!"

"Look yar, boys," said Robinson, rising, "I don't know ez it's the
square thing to spile Daddy's fun. I don't object to it, provided
she ain't takin' in the old man, and givin' him dead away. But ez
we're his guardeens, I propose that we go down thar and see the
lady, and find out ef her intentions is honorable. If she means
marry, and the old man persists, why, I reckon we kin give the
young couple a send-off thet won't disgrace this yer camp! Hey,
boys?"

It is unnecessary to say that the proposition was received with
acclamation, and that the crowd at once departed on their discreet
mission. But the result was never known, for the next morning
brought a shock to Rough-and-Ready before which all other interest
paled to nothingness.

The grave of Mammy Downey was found violated and despoiled; the
coffin opened, and half filled with the papers and accounts of the
robbed benevolent associations; but the body of Mammy was gone!
Nor, on examination, did it appear that the sacred and ancient form
of that female had ever reposed in its recesses!

Daddy Downey was not to be found, nor is it necessary to say that
the ingenuous Grace Somerset was also missing.