The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-03-24

"Pll tell you what I'll do" said Bell,
after silence of minute or two. "He
doesn't know how you look, and if were
to pass myself off for you, he'd never know
the mistake. "I'll be Susan if you'll be
Bell, and I'll get rid of Mr.. Finch for
you"
eff you only would ~ cried l.
"I will" answered Bell, her eyes spark
ling with anticipated pleasure "I'm going
to make Mr.. Finch think that I'm deaf
deaf as post. Oh, my won't it be jolly,
though ?'
Bell leaned back in her chair, and laugh
ed till her sides aohed.
Monday morning Mr.. Finch came.
We took good look at him from the
window as he came up the path. He was
little man, with red hair, and no eyes to
speak of. The poor gentleman had evil
IDENTIFY got on his best clothes, and looked
i'll at ease in consequence. Perhaps his
mission helped to make him nervous.
"From this time forth, as long as he
stays, Pm deaf, remember" said Bell,
warningly. "I shan't be able to hear any
thing short of a respectable scream"
went to the door.
Is this Miss Susan SpencerP" asked
MIR. Finch, as he entered.
"Susan is in the sitting-room," an
swered. "Tn introduce you. You are
Mr.. Finch, aren't youp"
"Yes'm; Caleb Finch" he responded,
so solemnly that wanted to giggle.
We took him into the sitting
where Bell was.
"Susan," said /, in loud voice, "this
is Mr.. Finch"
81 don't hear word what you say"
said Susan, turning her ear toward me.
"Speak little louder if you please"
"This is Mr.. Finch :" screamed /, in
her ear. thought 1 must laugh, to see
how Mortified Mr.. Finch looked
"I'm glad to see you, Mr.. Finch, said
"Susan," with beaming smile. "Take
a chair-bring it close if you please, be-
cause Pm slightly affected with deafness.
How are the children ?''
"Pretty WE'LL" answered Mr.. Finch, in
q lalr War-Whoop.
Louder, if you please" said "Susan,"
presenting her ear.
"Pretty WE'LL" answered Mr.. Finch, in
a fair war-whoop.
managed to keep my face turned the
other way, and had hard work to keep
from screaming.
81 was much touched at what Uncle
Jonathan wrote about your kindness to
your late wife," said "Susan," with fond
glance into Mr.. Finch's face. "What did
she die of?'
Congestion of the BRAIN" answered
Mr.. Finch, his voice about two octaves
higher than its usual pitch.
81 didn't hear" said "Susan." ga
trife louder, Mr.. Finch"
Mr.. Finch repeated his reply in so loud
tone that he got red in the face with the
exertion its utterance caused him.
"Ahp
SUSAN" comprehended at last.
els she always SO p'' he asked, turning
to me, and wiping his face vigorously with
a big red and yellow handkerchief.
"She isn't quite as deaf all the time" 1
answered, demuely.
Pretty soon Mr. Finch made another at
tempt at conversation.
"You have very pretty place here"
he shouted.
eyes; groceries are pretty DEAR" re-
sponded "Susan." -" You are right about
that, Mr.. Finch"
Pretty place" explained Mr. Finch,
getting desperate. "Pretty place here, +"
and he waved his hand toward the garden
and grounds.
"Yes, know" answered Susan mourn
fully; "but it couldn't be helped, / sup
pose"
Mr.. Finch cast a despairing glance at
me. had to leave the room. / could
stand it no longer.
When was safely outside the door
laughed till could laugh no more. could
only chuckle in kind of faint imitation of a
laugh. l hadn't strength enough left for
the genuine article.
AS sat 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 was so comical
to see "Susan," not muscle of her face
relaxing from its dignitied look, holding
out her ear for Mr.. Finch to repeat his re-
marks in il. He couldn't have eaten bis