The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-03-20
From Tie Wastingson Commoawsahk |.
THE DEAF WIVES.
a Laughatls Oteurrrnee.)

The incident we are about to relate occur.
red some years since, in the Granite State,
and as We abide beyond striking distance 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 corpulent, rubi-
cund and jolly landlord of The best hotel in
the fourishing village Of Dover, at the head
Of the Pisca.aqua, and was excessively fond
of bit of fun wi,hal. He was also the
owner Of large farm in New Durham,
about twenty miles distant, the overseer Of
which was one Caleb Dicker, or "Boss Kale"
A. termed by the numerous hands under his
control and sufficiently wasgish for all prac.
tical purposes Of fun and frolic. Caleb, like
a wiae and prudent man,:had wife; and
so had Uncle Nat" who was accustomed
10 visit his farm every month or two, 10 see
how matters went on. On the occasion oi
one Of these visits, the following dialogue
occurred between Uncle Nat and Mistress
Kicker.
"Mr. Ella" SAID the good lady, "why have
you never brought Mrs. Ella on: TO see the
farm, and pay US visit-I dare say, she
would be pleased TO spend day or two with
us. and would endeavor to render her stay
as pleasant and comfortable as possible"
"Why, TO tell you the truth, Mrs. Kicker"
said Uncle Nat 81 have been thinking a.
bout it. for some time, but then she Is so
very deaf as to render conversation with her
extremely difficult in fact, il requires the
greatest effort to make her hear anything
that is said 10 her; and she is consequ emily
very reluctant to mingle in the society Of
strangers"
"Never mind that" replied the importun-
ate Mrs. Ricker,W have good strong
voice, and if anybody can make her hear,
can"
"lf you think so, and will risk it," said
Uncle Nat, "she shall accompany me on my
next visit TO the farm" and this having
been agreed on, Uncle Nat left for the field,
to acquaint Boss Kale with what had passed =,
and with the plan of future operations, tou-
ching the promised visit of his wife.
1t was finally settled between the rieksd
~ags that the fact thai their wives could both
hear as we'll as any body, should be kept a
profund secret, until disclosed by personal
interview of the ladies themselves.
The next time Uncle Nat was about to
"visit the farm" he suggested to his wife
that ride into the country would be of ser.
vice to her; that Mrs. Kicker, who had new.
er seen her, was very anxious to receive a
visit from her, and proposed that she should
accompany him on that occasion. She read.
lily consented, and they were soon on their
Journey. They had not, however, proceeded
far, when Uncle Nat observed to her that
Mrs. Kicker was extremely deaf, and she
would be under the necessity of elevaiing
her voice to the highest pitch, in order to
converse with her. Mrs. Ella regretted the
misfortune, but thought, as she had a pretty
strong voice, she would be able to make her
friend hear her. In a few hours after, U ncle
Nat and his lady drove mp 10 the door OF his
country mansion, and Boss Kicker, who had
been previously informed of the time of Un-
Gle Mats intended arrival, was already in
waiting TO help enjoy the fun that was to
come Of meeting of the Deaf Wives!
Mrs. Kicker, not expecting them at the time,
happened to be engaged with her domestic
duties in the kitchen but, observing her Wis
tiers through the window, she flew to the
glass 10 adjust her cap and put herself IN the
best trim 10 receive them, that the moment
would allow. In the meantime, Boss Kale
had ushered Uncle Nat and his lady into the
parlor, by way Of the front door, soon after
which, Mrs. R. appeared in the presence of
her guests.
"Mrs. Rioker, I will make you acquainted
with Mrs. Ela," roared Uncle Nat, in voice
of thunder.
"How do you do, madam" }" screamed Mrs.
Kicker 10 Mrs. Ella, with her mouth close to
the ear of the latter.
every well, thank you" replied Mrs. E,
in tone of corresponding elevation.
How did you leave your familyw contin-
ued Mrs. R., in voice quite up to the pitch
of her first effort.
"All very well, I thank you-how's your
family :" returned Mrs. E., in key which
called into requisition all the power of her
lungs.
In the meantime, Uncle Nat and Boss
Kale, who were convulsed beyond the pow
or of endurance, had quietly stolen out Of
TIM door, and remained under the window,
listening TO the boisterous conversation OF
their deaf wives, which was continued on
the same elevated letter Of the staff for
some time, when Mrs. R., in the same led
gsr.line key she had observed from tho fret,
thus addressed her lady guest
"What on earth are you hallooing 10 me
for-I ant deafW W
| cant you indeed % said Mrs. E., st'but
pray what are you hallooing TO me for--Pm
sure Pm not deaf fn iae -
| Each, then, came gradually down to her
ordinary key, whom burst of laughter from
Uncle Nat and Boss Kale, at the window, re-
vealed the whole trick, and even the ladies
themselves we're eompsIledto to join in the
mesfiment they bad afforded tho outsiders,
bv tha Itid;croua ehafacfey of thar interview