Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-02-15
AN &nlsrsstIna slarp.


C>R ht''Ri'i'u eStv|us
The Deaf Aunt and Deaf Wife.
4 had An aunt coming 20 see nae for
the hrst time since my marriage. and
/ don't know what evil genius promp.
ted the wlckedneaa which ! perpotra
tod toward my wife and my ancient
relative.
my dear." said 10 my wIlu, on
the day before my aunl'a arrival, you
know aunt Mary h coming morrow:
we'll. | forgot ia mention rather an
noying circumstances with reg I'd 10
her. She's very deaf and although
she can hear my voice, 10 which ahe
IL accustomed. Ia its ordinary tonea.
yet you will be obliged TO speak ex'
uremely loud Ia order 10 bo heard, II
will be rather lncoHyenIent, but 1
know you will do everything In your
power 20 make her stay agreeable"
Mrs. y. announced her dstermlna.
ton TO make herself heard. II possible,
then went to John p. who
loves q joxe about ~ we'll as any per,
sen know Of. and told him 10 be at
the house at 0 o'clock. evening. on
the following day, and felt compara'
lively happy.
went 10 the railroad dspot with a
caIriage next evening, and when ]
was on my way home with my aunt,
/ said,--
my dear aunt, there Ia one rather
annoying inirmity that anna. my
wife, has, which | forgot 10 mention,
She Is very deaf. and although she can
hear my voice. 10 winch she Is necus'
toned, in It's ardinary tones, yet you'll
be obliged TO speak extremely loud,
in order to be heard. | am very sor.
ry forit."
Aunt Mary in the goodness of hen
heart, protested that she rather liked
speaking loud; and TO do so would al,
ford her great pleasure.
The carriage drove up--in the win
dow was John =, with a face
as utterly solemn as if he had buried
all his relatives that afternoon.
/ handed out my aunt--she ascend
ed the step.
IL am delighted to see you." shrek
ed my wife and the policemen on the
opposite sidewalk started, and my
aunt fell nearly down the steps.
"Kiss me, my DEAR" howled my
aunt, and the hall lamp clattered, anC
the windows shook with the fever anC
ague. looked at the window-Johr
had disappeared. Human natur,
could stand it no longer, poked ny
head into the carriage, and went int,
strong convulsions.
When | entered the parlor. my wit,
was helping aunt Mary to take off he
hat and cape; and there sat John viii
his sober face.
Suddenly did you have pleasan
Journey" went off like q pistol. ant
John nearly jumped to his feet.
Rather dusty" was the respons'
in a war-whoop, and SO the converse
ton continued.
The neighbors, for blocks around
must have heard it; when l was in tn
third story of the buildings l heard j
every word.
In the course Of the evening m,
aunt took occasion to say to me-
"How loud your wife speaks-don't
hurt herr"
! / told her all deaf persons talke,
loudly, and that my wife, being <use,
to it, was not affected by the exertion
and that she (aunt Mary was gettinI
along very nicely with her.
Presently, my wife said, softly
"Alf., how very loud your aun
talks"
Eyes" said l, "all deaf persons dc
You're getting along with her finely
she hears every word you say" An
/ rather think she did.
Elated by their success at beinI
understood, they went at it. hamme
} aud tongs. I'LL everything on the man
tle-piece clattered again. and | wa
} seriously afraid of a crowd collecting
, in front of the house.
But the end was near. My aun
being of an investigating turn OF mind
was desirous of finding out whethe
the exertion Of talking so loud wa
/ not injurious to my wife. So
Doesn't talking SO loud strain you
lungs?" said she in an unesrlhl
whoop, for her voice was not as mu
sical as it was when she was young
: "lt il an exertion.' shrieked M
: wife.
Then why do You do ii?" was III
answering scream.
i "Becsuse-because-you can n,
: hear me il don't" squealed my wifi
d "What?" said my aunt, fairly I