Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-04-19
9f(istrllanp,
CRUELTY TO RELATIVES.
BY ALE. \. SIGMA.

] had an aunt coming TO visit me for the
first time since my marriage, and ] don't
know what evil genius prompted the wicked
ness which | perpetratcd towards my wife
and my ancient relative
"My dear" said l 10 my wife, on the day
before my aunts arrival 'Sou know aunt
Mary is coming tomorrow; well, | forgot to
mention rather annoying circumstance with
regard TO her. She's very deaf, and although
She can hear my voice, TO which she is accus-
toned in its ordinary tones. yet you will be
obliged to speak very loud in order to be
heard. 1t will be rather inconvenient, but
know yon will do everything in your power to
make her stay agreeable"
Mrs. 5. announced her determination TO
make herself heard, if possible.
/ then went to John t, who loved a
joke about as well as any person / know of,
told him to be at my house at = NJ, on
the following evening, and felt comparatively
happy.
l went to the railroad depot with a car
riage next night, and when ] was on my way
home with my aunt, | said
"My dear aunt there is one rathes annoy
ing inlirmity that Anna has, which forgot
to mention before. She's very deaf; and al
though she can hear my voice, to which she
is accustomed, in its ordinary tones, yet you
will be obliged to speak extremely loud in
order to be heard. i'm sorry for it,"
Aunt Mary, in the goodness of her heart
protested that she rather liked speaking loud
and to do so would afford her great pleasure
The carriage drove UPON the steps was my
wite-in the window was John with {
face as utterly solemn as if he had buried al
his relations that afternoon. ] handed out
my aunt-she ascended the steps.
81 am delighted to see you," shrieked my
wife, and the policeman on the opposite wall
started, and my aunt nearly fell down thu
stoop.
kiss me, my dear" howled my aunt anC
the hall windows shook as with fever ant
ague. | looked at the window ohm haC
disappeared. Human nature could stand j
no longer. i poked my head into the carrag
> and went into strong convulsions. When
entered the parlor, my wife was helping aun
Mary to take off her hat and cape; and ther
sat John with his face of woe.
Suddenly, Did you have pleasant jour
ney? went off my wife like pistol, and j OH
+ nearly jumped to his feet.
"Rather dusty" was the response, in wal
whoop, and so the conversation continued.
The neighbors for some blocks around mus
nuNe neaIu IL J Wneu was III Lne Jnlfu SIOf
of the building ! heard the words plainly.
the course Of the evening my aunt said t
me-
"How loud your wife speaks-don't it hui
, her ?"
; told her all deaf persons spoke loudl,
and that my wife being used to it, was NJ
affected by the eXertion, and that aunt Mar
was getting along very nicely with her.
Presently my wife said, softly: "Alf, no
, very loud your aunt talks"
: "Yes," said /, "all deaf persons do. Your
: getting along with her finely, she hears ever
word you say" And | rather think she d
Elated by their success at being unde
stood, they went at it hammer and tongs, ii
l. everything on the mantel piece clattere
again, and was seriously afraid of crow
- collecting in front of the house. But the er
was near. My aunt, being of an investig
ting turn of mind, was desirous of finding OF
y ! whether the exertion of talking SO loud W,
Il not injurious to my wife. So
doesn't talking so loud strain your lungs
said she, in an unearthly whoop for her vol
was not as musical as it was when it W
young.
I ut is an exertion !" shrieked my wife.
Al "rhen why do you do itf" was the answG
ing scream,