Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-08-21
INDEPENDENCE IOWA, friday AUGUST 21, 1874
Deaf to Reason.

We find the "sleeper," as the Pull
man is technically called, rare
place for the study of eccentric hui
man nature. 1t is seldom that we
pass night in one that something
does not turn up worth recording.
On this occasion we had deaf man
who called for all the exertions of
the conductor, assisted by the pas,
sengers, to keep his place. He was
a tall muscular man with a promi-
nent, broad chin and hard face, who
had parted with his hearing but re-
tanned his indomitable will. Deaf
people are not generally amiable.
A blind man may be counted on as
jolly; but to lose ones hearing is to
lose ones temper; and so it was not
only difficult to set this pest of a man
straight, but it was contoundedly un-
pleasant. Added to this, he per-
sisted in talking. Now conversation
is not like Hudibr:s' horse, that re-
quired but one spur, upon the recog-
nized fact that if one side went the
other side had to 60 also. ,.-.
II can't make it out from this tick
et," he bawled as all deaf people
bawl, "where belong"
"Why, boss, dis ticket call for No.
5. upper BERTH"
"Speak louder; Pm little hard of
hearing"
The amiable steward put his large
mouth to his car and shouted, "No.
5. upper berth
81 don't hear a word you're say
ing" was the mild reply; "here,
write it,"
The steward took the card and
made IS" and pointed to the place.
"All right, make it up, I'm tired"
The section was accordingly made
up, when old Deaf-as-a-post, divesting
himself of his boots, rolled into the
lower berth.
"Halloo, boss" said the steward,
''dat won't do, you's the upper berth"
"Tickets?" queried the deaf man,
fumbling in his pockets.
"What is l to do with dis ole MANI"
asked the poor fellow in despair.
''Let me try him." said slender
individual who looked at the world
through pair of glasses; 81 under
stand the deaf and dumb alphabet"
and so saying, he tapped the per-
verse man on the shoulder and mo-
ioned him to sit up. This being
complied with he began gesticulat-
ing with his hands and arms in the
liveliest manner, as he sat opposite
the amazed gentleman.
''What are you poking your fingers
in my countenance for, eh?" and
looking up he saw the gathered pas
sengers grinning as if greatly anus
ed. He fell into violent fit of rage,
and, suddenly drawing back, hit the
alPhebat man on the nose, tlatening
that useful article, and not only
mashing his glasses, but sending
him ''to grass to use the pugilistic
phrase. The instructor of mutes
picked himself up and retreate,l,
feeling for his head, as if under the
impression that it had been knocked
off. We are ashamed to write it, but
we, in common with the other pas
sengers, laughed loud and long at
this.
After came a long intercourse in
writing on one side and profanc Ian
guage on the other between the con-
ductor and the deaf man. 1t was in
terrupted by the owner Of the lower
berth fore going his right, saying he
would rather sleep above the fight
ing character than under him.
The next morning, after we had
been reused out to get off 1T this
place, the steward shook the deaf
man.
'Iime to get up, boss, eff you
want to get off at Oakland" he said,
mechanically.
The man solemnly came to sit
ting position and looked at his
watch.
'Two o'clock" he said, ''then l
have an hour two Sleep" and so he
laid down again. Again the boy
shook him.
"Look here, you scoundrel," he
roared, ''ifyou disturb me again I'll
kick you up and down this car"
"Oh, berry well, sleep if you
wants to-"
And SO we left at Oakland, with
the deaf man sleeping the sleep of
and peacc-Don Piatt,
IN Washington Capital.