Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-08-20
the DEAF AUNT AND WIFE.

the hrst time since my marriage, and I
don't know what evil genius prompted the
wickedness which I perpetrated towards
my wise ancient relation.
My DEAR said to my wife on the
day before my auut's arrival. you know
aunt Mary is coming to morrow; we'll, I
forgot to mention rather annoying cir
cunsisnec With regard to her. She is
very deaf; although she can hear nv
voice. to which she is accustomed in its
ordinary tones. yet you will be obliged to
speak extremely loud in order to be heard .
II will be rather ineonvenieut, but know
you will do anything in your power to
make her stay agreeable.
Mrs. - announced her determine.
ton to make herself heard ifin her power.
| then went to John N who loves .
joke about as we'll as any person I know
Of, and told him TO be at tina house at 6
P. NJ. the following evening. and l felt
comparatively happy.
went to the railroad depot with q car.
riagc next night. and when I was on my
way home with my aunt. said:
NJ dear aunt. there is one rather an.
noying in6rmi,y that Annie. (my wiie)
has. which I forgot to mention before -
She is very deaf, and although she can
hear my voice. to watch she Is aceustom-
Cd. in ito ordinary tones. yet you will be
obliged to speak very loud IN order to be
heard. am very sorry for it,
Aunt Mary in tho goodness offer heart
NrCk~~e>A A6~A a. ->el>. L.
loud. and to do SO would afford her great
pleasure.
The carriage drove up-ou the steps
vas my wife-in the window Was John
N. With face n utterly solemn a.
'if be had buried his relative that AFTER.
noon.
4 am delighted 10 see you.' shricked
my wife-and the policeman on the oppo-
site sidewalk started. and my aunt nearly
fell down the steps.
Kiss me my DEAR bawled my aunt.
and the windows shook ~ with the fever
and ague. I looked at the window
John had disappeared. Human nature
could endure it no longer. I poked my
head into the carriage and wen. into strong
couvulsions.
When entered the parlor, my wife
was helping aunt Mary to take of her hat
and cape; and there sat John with his
face buried in his andkcrehief.
Saddeuly-'Did you have . pleasant
journey p went of my wife like . pistol
and John nearly jumped to his feet.
Rather dusty was the response in
a war whoop. and conversation coutiuu-
ed
The neighbors for blocks around must
have heard it. When was in the third
story Of the building heard every word.
In the course Of the evening my aunt
took occasion to say to me.
How loud your wife talksr
! told her deaf persons talked loudly
and that my wife being used to it. was
not affected by the excrtion. and that
she Vas getting on very nicely With
her.
Presently my wife said softly:
'Alf, how very loud your aunt talks
Yes. said I. all deaf persons do.'-
You are getting along with her finely: she
hears every word you say And l rsth-
er think she did.
Elated 1t their success at being under
stood. they went hammer and tongs. till
everything upon the mantle-piece clstter-
cd again and was seriously afraid of .
crowd collecting in front Of the house.
But the end was near. My aunt be-
ing Of an investigating turn Of mind.
was desirous Of 6uding out whether the
exertion Of talking vas injurious to my
wife So
Doesn't talking % loud strain your
lungs 2 said she in 40 unearthly whoop.
for her voice was not 30 musical - il was
when she vas young.
1t is an exertion. shrieked my wife.
Then Why do you do il Vas the an
swering scream.
.Becsuse-beecusc-you can't hear if
l don't.' squealed my wife.
WHAT said my aunt. fairly rivaling
railroad whistle at the time.
l began to think il time to evacuate the
premises; and looking around ssd seeing
John gone. I stepped into the hack par
lor. and there he lay fat Of his back. With
his feet u right angles With body rolling
from side to side. With his Est poked into
his ribs. and most agooised ezpressioo Of
countenance. bat not uttering soaud, I
Immediately sna involustarially asscmed
. similar sstitsds, asd ssisk fIoo he rel