Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-03-17
[PROPRIETORS.
The DcufWives.

The incident we are about to relate oc-
CURED some years since, in the Granite
State, and as we abide beyond striking dis
lance Of the parties and their immediate
friends, we shall be little more free in
our description Of the circumstances than
we otherwise should be.
Nathaniel Ella, or "Uncle Nat" as he
was generally called, was the corpulcnt
rubieund and Jolly old landlord of the best
hotel in the flourishing village of Dover, ut
the head of the Piscaiaqua, and was exoes-
sively fond Of bit Of fun withal He
was also the owner Of u large farm N New
Durham, about twenty miles distant, the
overseer Of which was one Caleb Kicker,
or "Boss Kalc," as termed by the numer-
Gus hands under his control, and sufficient.
ly waggish for I'll practical purposes of fun
and irol.c. Caleb. ike wise and pri-
dent man, had wife; and so had s'Uncle
Nat" who was accustomed to visit his
| farm every month or two, TO see how mat
| tiers Went on. On the occasion of one of
these visits, the following dialogue occur
red between Cucle Nat and Mistress Rick
| er.
"Mr. Ella" said the good lady, "why
have ycn never brought Airs. Ella out to
see the farm, and pay US a visit--I dare
say, she would be pleased to spend day
or two with us, and | would cndoavor-t to
render her stay as pleasant and comiorta-
bic as possible"
Nv by, TO tell you the lfulh, Mrs. Rick
err" said Uncle Nat, 81 have been thinking
about II, for some time, bu, then she is 20
very deaf as 10 render conversation with
her extremely dithcult--in fact, it requires
the greatest effort To make her hear any
thing that is said tohcr; and she is consc-
quently very reluctant to minglc in the So
c.ety Of strangers"
Never mind that" replied the impor-
tunate Mrs. Kicker, 81 have a good strong
voice, and if anybody can make her hear,
| cam
"li you tlnk SO, and will risk it," said
Uncle Nat, "shc shall accompany me on
my next visit TO the farm and this having
! been agreed on, l'ncle Nat left for the field,
TO acquaint Boss kalc with what had pass
ed, and with the plan OF future operations,
'''SiAbf5 NH' lIitih-tsl NlNtt VI MS VI re.
1T was iinaliy settled between the icicl-
eoI rags that the fact that their wives could
both hear as wei as any body, should be
kept a profound secret, until disclosed by
a personal interview Of the ladies them
selves
The next time Uncle Nat was about to
"visit the FARM" he suggested To his wife
that a ride into the country would be of
service to her; that Mrs. Kicker, who had
never seen her, was very anxious to re-
cclve visit from her, and proposed that
she should accompany him on that occa-
sion. She readily consented, and they
were soon on their journey. They had
not, however, proceeded far, when Uncle
Nat observed to her that lie was sorry To
inform her that Mrs Kicker was cNtrctne-
ly dea', aud she would be under the ne
cessity of clevating her voice to the high
est pitch, IN order TO converse with her
Mrs. Ella regretted the misfortune, but
thought, as she had pretty strong voice,
she would be able to make her fricnd hear
her. In a few hours after, Uncle Nat aud
his lady drove up to the door of his couh-
try mansion, and Boss Kicker, who had
been previously informed of the time OF
Uncle MATS intended arrival, was already
In waiting to help enjoy the fun,hat was to
come ofameeling ofthc Deaf Wivesl Mrs.
Kicker not expecting them at any time,
happened to be engaged with her domestic
duties in the kitchen; but, observing her
visitors through the window, she flew to
the glass toadjust her cap and put herself
IN the best trim TO receive them, that the
moment would allow. In the meantime,
Boss kalc had ushered Uncle Nat and his
lady into the parlor, by way of the front
door, soon after which, Mrs. X. appeared
In the presence of her guests.
"Mrs. Kicker, j viii make you acquaint-
cd with Mrs. Ela," roarcd Uncle Nat, in
voice Of thunder.
"How do you do, madam" screamed
Mrs. Kicker to Mrs. Ella, with her Mouth
close to the ear Of the hitter.
Every web, thank yon," replied Mrs.
E., in tone Of corresponding elevation.
"How did you leave your familyl' CON
iinued Mrs. r., in a voice quite up to the
pitch of her first effort
"All very well, thank you--how's
your familyl' retarncd Mrs. g., in kew
which called into rcquisition all the power
of her lungs.
IN the meantime, Uncle Nat and Boss
heie, who were convulsed beyotid the
power Of endurance, had quietly stolen on,
ofthc door, and remained under the win
dow, listening % the boisterous converse.
ton oi their deaf wives, which was contin,,-
ed on the same elevated letter Of the staff
for some time, when Mrs. r., in the same
ledger-line key she had observed from the
first, thus addressed hcr lady guest:
"What on earth are you hallooing to me
for--I ant deaf"
"A'nt you, rndeedl' said Mrs. E., shut
pray what are you hallooing to me for--I'm
sure I'm not dcafl''
Each, then, came gradually down TO her
ordinary key, when burst Of laughter
from Uncle Nat and Boss X ale, at the win
dow, revealed the whole trick, and even
the ladies themselves were compelled to
JOIN in the merrimcnt they had afforded the
outsiders, by the ludicrous character OF
their interview tp,lshngfon Pa. Cam
mon1eafh.
Where Shall we Place Him!