The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-04-21
"Susan," said I in a loud voice, "this

y
san, turning her ear toward me; s'speak
little louder, if you please"
"This is Mr.. Finch!' screamed I, Ia
her ear. thought must laugh TO see
how horrilied Mr.. Finch looked.
81 am glad to see you, Mr.. Finch"
said Susan, with beaming smile. take
a chair-bring it close, if you Pile, Sc, be-
cause I'm slightly affected with deafness
How are the children p
"Pretty WE'LL" said Mr.. Finch, taking
a seat by her.
louder, if you please" said Susan,
presenting her ear.
"Pretty we'll" said Mr. Finch in war
whoop.
I managed to keep my face turned the
other way, and had hard work to keep
from screaming.
81 was much touched at what Uncle
Jotham wrote about your kindness to
your late wife," said Susan with a fond
glance into Mr.. Finch's face. "What
did she die of?''
Congestion Of the brain," answered
Mr.. Finch, his voice about two octayes
higher than its usual pitch
81 didn't hear" said Susan. "a trife
louder, Mr.. Finch"
Mr.. Finch repeated his reply in so
loud tone that he got red in the face
with the exertion it caused him. %
Susan comprehended it at last.
ssIs she always so 2" he asked, turning
to me, ard wiping off his face with big
red and yellow handkerchief.
aShe isn't that deaf all the time," said
I. ~,
Pretty soon Mr.. Finch made another
effort at conversation.
'.You have pretty place here" he
shouted. -
"Yes,groceries are very DEAR" respon.
ded Susan. "You are right about that,
Mr. Finch"
"Pretty place." exclaimed Mr.. Finch,
getting desperate; 'pretty place, herc!"
ard he waved his hand toward the gar.
den and grounds
yes know" answered Susan, mourn
fully "but it could not be helped, I sup
pose"
Mr.. Finch cast one despairing glance
at ne; had to leave the room; I could
stand it no longer.
When l was once safely outside the
door, I laughed till / could laugh no
more I.could only chuckle in kind of
a faint imitation of laugh: hadn't
power enough left for the genuine arti-
cle ~
AsI set there heard Mr.. Finch shout
ing in his highest tones to Susan, who
always had to have everything repeated
to her. 1t wasn't long before he began
to get hoarse, for she kept him busy, A
dozen times. while we were eating dinner,
] thought ]. must laugh; it wrs so conf
cal to see Susan,not muscle of her face
relaxing from its dignifed look, holding
out her ear for Mr.. Fitch to repeat his
remarks in. He couldn't have eaten his
dinner, if he had had the best of appe-
tites. 90
All that afternoon Susan kept him sit
ting by her. could see the poor man,
half tired out, casting furtive glances at
the clock
A. last he got up and beckoned me to
come out in the hall.
II think I'll be goin' back" he said,
with sigh, that indicated how great his
disappointment was. 81 came down on
your Incle's recommendation, to make
some kind of a bargain with your sister
Susan; he never told me a word about
her Nein' deaf" 3
sits an unfortunate affection" said,
feeling that he expected me to say some.
thing.
eyes, very," answered Mr. Finch, wit
another sigh. ''I've not said anything
to her about my intentions, cause it
wouldn't be prudent for me to marry
one as deaf as she is. Beats all l ever
heard of -,
"I'm sorry" said /, working hard to
keep up my gravity.
"So'm l." said Mr.. Finch; "she seems
wiIlin' plenty enough she's got kind
dispersition; she talked teelingly about
the late Missus Finch and appreciated
my efforts toward doin' justice to her
memory, But don't feel as eff I'd or
ter say anything to her as to what my
intentions were; ! don't suppose you'd
be willin' to come an keep house for
me ?"
Mr., Finch gave me very insinuating
glance snd looked hopeful, &
"Oh, I couldn't think of such thing
said /, "Pm too young; aud then there
are other reasons, you see,"
"Yes, s'pose So Mr., Finch heaved
disappointed sigh, 81 don't suppose
there's any use of going in to tell her
good by; you can tell her that for me-
II may as well be going he added, TAX
ing up his hat, "Good day.
"Good day, I answered." and Mr.,
Finch took his departure for home,
A week after that my sides were lame
from the effect which Mr. Finch's visit
had on them, / got a letter from Uncle
lothian, after Mr., Finch's return to
Baskerville,
81 never heard nothin' about your be
ing deaf" he wrote, at seems to me
it comes on sudden; it's pity, for Mr.,
Finch is nice man."
Bell and often laugh about the poor
man, hope the efforts to make her
hear didn't injure his lungs; I've been
afraid he'd go into quick consumption,
Mat Kidding, a gambler, and Barney
Kenney, Of Virginia City, New, engaged
in shooting match in which five or six
shots were exchanged. Kidding was hit