Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-04-08
MY CRUELTY TO MY RELATIVES
DT ALF. 4. SIGMA.

bad an aunt coming to visit me for the first
time since my marriage, and / don't know what
evil genius prompted the wickedncss I ac-
knowledge with tears In my eyes that it was
such) which perpetrated towards nv wife and
my ancient relative.
Ny dear" said to my wife on the day be-
fore my aunts arrival, "you know Aunt Mary
Is coming Tomorrow well / forgot to mention
rather anoying Circumstance in regard to her
She's very deaf; and although she can hear nv
voice, TO which she is accustomed, in its ordin-
ary tones, yet you will be obliged to speak ex-
tremely loud in order to be heard. 1t will be
rather inconvenent, but l know YOU will do
everything in your power to make her stav
agreeable"
Mrs. S. announced her determination to make
herself heard, if possible.
/ then went TO John T who loves 4 Joke
about as well as any person l kpow Of told him
to be at my house at p. NJ, on the following
evening. and felt comparatively happy.
/ went to the rail road depot with a carriage
next night, and when l was on my way home
with my aunt, / said
My dear aunt, there is one rather annoying
ipfirmity that Anna has, which forgot to men
ton before. She is 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 extremely loud in order to be
heard. I'm sorry for it,"
Aunt Mary, in the goodness of her heart pro-
tested that she rather liked speaking loud and
t. do so would afford her pleasure.
The carriage drove uT--on the steps was my
wife--in the window was John r, with
face utterly solemn as if he had buried all
his relatives that afternoon.
| handed out my Aunt-she assembled the
steps
i am delighted to see you" shrieked NV
wife, and the policeman the opposite side
walk started. and my Auna nearly fell down the
stoop
Kiss me my dear" bawled my aunt and
the hall lamp clattered, and the windows shook
rs if with the fever and ague / looked at the
window-John had disappeared. Human ma
ture could stand it no longer. Ipoked my head
into the carriage, and went into strong conyul-
sions.
When I entered the parlor, my wife was help
ing Aunt Mary TO take off her hat and cape
and there sat John with his face of woe. Sud-
denly:
Did you have a pleasant journey ?' went off
my wife like pistol, and John T jumped
to his feet.
Rather dusty" was the response, in a war
whoop, and so the conversation continued.
The neighbors for blocks around must have
heard it when was in the third story of the
building heard every word plainly
In the course of the evening, my aunt took
occasion to say TO me:
How loud your wife speaks-don't it hurt
her 3
told her all deaf persons talked loudly, and
that my wife being used to it, was not affected
by the exertion, and that Aunt Mary was get
ting along very nicely with her.
Presently my wife said, softly: All, how
very loud your aunt talks"
Yes" said I, all deaf persons do You
are getting along with her nicely; she hears
every word you say" And i rather think she
did
Elated at their success at being understood
they went at it hammer and tongs- till every
thing the mantle piece claitered again, and
was seriously afraid of crowd collecting in
'front.' of the house.
But the cad was My aunt, being of an
investigating turn of mind was desirous of find
ing out whether the exertion of talking so loud
was not injurious to my wife.
Doesn't talking so loud strain your lungs 2"
said she, in an unearthly heot, for her voice
was not as musical as it when she was
young.
"It as exertion," shrieked my wife.