Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-05

|
lily, property nnder your CONTROL" kept ring
| ing in my ears, urging me to decide in the
afhrmative. was getting old enough to mar
ry, too, and there might never be another
chance. believe I've already remarked that
young ladies generally are not partial to the
name of Jenkins, and it occurred to me that
| I'd improve this opportunity. Miss Johnson
sat gazing in the fire keeping up in the mean
time drumming on the carpet with the pret.
tiest little foot imaginable. l looked up and
caught her eye:
| "Have you decided 7' she asked.
81 have, and in the Affirmative was my re-
| ply. In moment the miniature was in my
hand, and gazed upon the most beautiful
face had ever seen. | was in raptures, and
could have gone upon my knees to the young
lady for helping me to such an angel for wife.
My joy was too great for words, however, and
left with promise to be prompt in my at
tendance on the following evening.
My wedding night came, and with friend
! to sssee me through" was ushered into Mr..
Johnson's parlor. A dozen persons were pres
ent. We were introduced to such as were
not already known to us, and took seat by
Miss Johnson, leaving my friend to take
of himself. learned that everything was in
readiness for the ceremony. My intended was
| in an adjoining room whittier repaired to Join
| her. She was even more beautiful than the
| picture, and | was the happiest man alive.
| We were introduced, but could only press
| her hand. 1t was not to be wondered at that
neither of us spoke. Everything being in
readiness, we proceeded to the paror, and
were made man and wife after the most APP
proved fashion.
1t is not considered polite, I believe, for a
man to talk exclusively to his wife on the eve
ming of his wedding, and as my acquaintance
with my better half was extremely limited, /
was very we'll content to circulate among the
other ladies, and leaving Mrs. jenkins to be
entertained an hv fha 9th Tn .
course of the evening, however, got a seat
| by my wife, and tried to get up conversation
with her, but her conduct was incxplicable. /
made several remarks intended to be affection
ate-such as i imagined newly married man
would naturally make to his wife-but she
gazed into my face without answering word.
l tried again and again, with the same want of
success. What could it mean, she was not
dumb, for had heard her speak several times
during the evening, and her voice was siDgu-
larly musical. had been advised of her &C.
centrcity. but plague on such eccentricity
as this [ hadn't bargained for it.
The crowd finally left, and my wife, Miss
Johnson, and myself, were alone. determin-
ed to solve the mystery; did so. and what
think you, kind reader, was the result? My
rife ,cas as deaf as post. Yes, sir, you
might have fired off cannon within an inch
Of her ear and she scarcely would have heard
it. Wasn'tl in fix ? And yet she was so
pretty, and seemed affectionate that /
couldn't help loving her in spite of this great
defect, which, after all, was misfortune, and
not fault.
Mary-that was my wife's name-was quite
rich, and as l had control of everything, l
soon settled in as nice habitation as our town
afforded. My wife was very clever and amia-
ble-but very deaf! Anything in the way of
private conversation was out of the question.
All the neighbors could hear me when spoke
to her at all. Sometimes my friends called to
see mo, and then such yelling and screaming
were kept tip as would shame mad house. |
l could neither read nor write on account of
the horrible clatter kept up by the servants,
in their Efforts to get to Mary's ears. Passing |
strangers were constantly stopping before my |
house, attracted by the yelling and bowling |
within. The truth is, there is no denying it |
was miserable man, in spite of all my |
wealth; had no peace of mind, and l began |
to fear that the din and noise would drive me |
crazy.
One morning my wife met me at the door |
with letter. 1t was from her aunt, an old |
lady living some distance of, who proposed |
to pay US visit. She would arrive that day,
and must meet her at the cars. 1 did so and |
iound-horror of horrors-that she ,cas as deaf
my acite.
hadn't the heart to say anything to the |
old lady on my way home. l was thinking of.
what was to follow. When We drove up, Mary
was standing at the door, waiting to welcome
Aunt Betsy.
"I am delighted to see you 20 yelled my
wife, as the old lady ascended the steps.
elbow do you do, my dear 2' screamed the
aunt in return, while the windows ratified, and
a pair of passing horses, unaccustomed to the
noise, were nearly frightened into a run.
When entered the parlor, there they sat
on each side of the fire. place, and such yel-
ling You'd have thought whole tribe of
Cherokee Indians were present.
Aunt Betsy's visit was to last six weeks.
Every day the bowling continued. They SEEM
ed to like the fun, and such horrid din as
was kept up from ssmorn till dewy eve,"
reckon never heard. Human nature couldn't
stand tat least mine couldn't-and so de-
termined to pdmose the rancho. / endured it
a week, and then pretended that business call
ed me away.
1t was on dark and dismal evening that /
took the cars for -. 1t had been sleeting for
several days, and the track was coated over
with ice. Several accidents had occurred
within a short period, and felt little uneasy
as took my seat and wrapped my blanket
closely around me to shut out the cold.
But soon forgot the danger and fell into a
revere. / thought of what glorious time
aunt Betsy and my wife were having. There
they sat on each side of the fireplace, yelling
at one another like a couple of wild Indians,
and making the whole house hideons. How L
myself on having escaped, even
though for brief season, from the eternal
clatter. I laughed inwardly at the idea, and
would actually have felt happy but for the rec
olection that must return to it. AT length
slept-how long know not-and was awak-
sned by what took to be one of aunt BetSy>s
yelIs. soon discovered my mistake. 1t was
he whistle of the locomotive. We were of
he track, and felt we were going down
inwn-down. l had barely time to close my
,yes and mutter hasty prayer before felt
he shock, and found-myself on the floor.