Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-04-24
THE DEAF WIVES.

THE DEAF WIVES.
The following laughable incident we
copy from the Washington Penn. Com
uonw ealth-not for any moral point, but
to illustrate the character Of the old land
lord, whom we we'll knew some thirty
years ago.
Nathaniel Ella, or "Uncle Nat," as he
was generally called, was the corpulent,
rubicund and jolly old landlord of the
best hotel in the flourishing village Of Do
YER, at the head of the Piscataqua, and was
excessively fond Of a bit of fun withal.-
He was also owner Of large farm in New
Durham, about twenty miles distant, the
overseer Of wich was one Caleb Kicker,
or "Boss kale," as termed by the nnmer-
Gus hands under his control, and sufficient
ly waggish for all practical purposes of
fun and frolic. Caleb like q wise and
prudent man, had wife; and so had "Un.
Gle Nat" who was accustomed to visit his
farm every month or two, to see how mat
ters went on. On the occasion Of one OF
these visits, the following dialogue occur
red between Uncle Nat and Mistress Rick
| er.
"Mr Ela," said the good lady, sswhy
have you never brought Mrs Fla out 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 10
render her stay a. pleasant and comforta-
bic as possible" !"
"Why 10 tell you the truth, Mrs Ricker,"
said Uuncle Nat" have been thinking
about it for some time, but then she is 50
rery deaf as to render conversation with
her extremely difficult-in fact, it re-
quires the greatest effort to make her
hear anything that is said TO her; and she
is consequently very reluctant TO mingle
in the society Of strangers"
} ''Never mind that" replied the impor-
tunate Mrs Kicker, II have good strong
voice, and if anybody can make her hear,
| can."
eff you think 80 and will risk it," said
Uncle Nat, "she shall accompany me on
my next visit to the FARM this having
been agreed on, Uncle Nat left for the
field. .... .~.-..
1t was finally settled between the uicked
! Gags, that the fact that their wives could
both hear as we'll as any body, should be
kept 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 ride into the country would be OF
service to her; that Mrs Kicker, who had
, never seen her, was very anxious to re-
= | od of
! she should accompany him on that occa.
ion. She readily consented, and they
were soon on their journey. They had
not, however, proceeded far, when Uncle
Nat observed that he was sorry to inform
. her that Mrs Kicker was extremely deaf,
; and she would be under the necessity OF
: elevating her voice to the highest pitch, in
> order 10 converse with her. Mrs Ella
regretted the misfortune, but thought, as
: she had pretty strong voice. she would
I be able to make her friend hear. In a few
i. hours after, Uncle Nat aud his lady drove
I up to the door Of his country mansion, and
!, Bo.. Kicker, who had been, previously
informed Of the time of Uncle Mats inten-
: ded arrival, was already in waiting Mrs
2, Kicker, not expecting them at the time,
Y happened 10 be engaged with her domes-
tic duties in the Kitchen; but, observing
= her visitors through the window, she flew
: to the glass to adjust her cap and put her
t self in the best trim to receive them that
1 the moment would allow. In the mean
? time, Boss Kale had ushered Uncle Nat
: and his lady into the parlor, soon after Mrs
: X. appeared in the presence Of her guests.
; "Mrs Kicker, will make you acquaint-
q ed with Mrs Ela," roarsd Uncle Nat, in a
r voice of thunder. .-..
I "How do you do, madam screamed
!, Mrs Kicker to Mrs Ella, with her mouth
h close to the ear Of the latter.
: Every well, ! thank you" replied Mrs
n E. in tone OF corresponding elevation.
n Glow did you leave your fam;ly?"--
y continued Mrs r. in voice quite up te
h the pitch Of her first effort.
i call very we'll thank you how's your
family?" returned Mrs Z. in key which
e called into requisition all the power OF her
= lungs.
= In the meantime, Uncle Ma! and Boss
: Kale had quietly stolen out of the door
and remained under the window, listening
: to the boisterous conversation OF their deal
0 wives, which was continued 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 adj
dressed her lady guest:
l. "What on earth are you hallooing to me
v for, ant deaf 20
IS "A'nt you indeed?" said Mrs E. "bu'
;, pray what are you hallcoing to me for
3, I'm sure I'm not deaf? p
: Each then, came gradually down to hel
p ordinary key, when burst of laughter
IS from Uncle Nat and Boss kale, at tht
n window, revealed the whole trick, ant
e even the ladie. themselves were COMPEL
e ed to Join in the merriment they had af
l. forded the outsiders, by the ludicrou:
e character of their interview.
n nof