The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-08-18
Deaf Nan in a Sleeping Car.

wv e find the " sleeper as the Pull
w man is technically called, rare
place for the study of eccentric human ma
ture It 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 forth all the exertions of
the conductor, assisted by the passengers,
to keep him to his place, He was tall,
muscular man, with q prominent broad
chin and hard face, who had parted with
his hearing, but retained his indomitable
will. Deaf people are not generally amia-
ble A blind man can be counted on as
jolly but to lose ones hearing is to lose
ones temper and SO it was not only diff
fcult to set this pest Of a man straight, but
it was confoundedly unpleasant. Added to
this, he persisted in talking. Now, con-
versation is not like Hudibras' horse, that
required but one spur, upon the recognized
fact that if one side went the other had
to go also.
'I can't make out from this ticket" he
bawled, as all deaf people bawl, "where 1
belong"
why, boss, dis ticket calls for No, 8,
upper berth"
"Speak louder; I'm little hard Of
hearing"
The amiable steward put his large mouth
to the mans ear and shouted, "No. 8, up
per berth p
"I didn't hear d-d word you are say
ingp was the mild reply; "here, write
! it."
The steward took the card and made a
"5," and pointed to the place.
Gan right, make it up "I'm tiredp'
The section was accordingly made up,
when old Deaf-as-a-post, divesting himself
of his boots, rolled into the lower berth.
"Hallo, boss % said the steward, "dat
won't do you's de upper berth ~
"TicketsP" queried the deaf man,
fumbling in his pockets.
What de debble is TO do wild dis ole
manP" asked the poor fellow in despair.
Let me try him." said a slender in.
dividual, who looked at the world through
pair of glasses "I understand the deaf.
and-dumb alphabet" and so saying, he
tapped the perverse man on the shoulder
and motioned him to sit up. This being
complied with, he began gesticulating with
his hands and arms in tho liveliest manner
as he sat opposite the amazed gentleman
"D-n it ~ he roared, "what are you
poking your fingers in my countenance for
eh ?'' and looking up he saw the gathered
passengers grinning, as if greatly amused
He fell into a violent fit of rage, and, sud
denly drawing back, hit the alphabet mar
on the nose, fattening the useful article
and not only mashing his glasses, but send
ing him "to grass" to use the pugilistiC
phrase. The instructor of mutes picked
himself up and retreated, feeling for hi
head, as If under the impression that it hat
been knocked off. We are ashamed Il
write it, but we, in common with the Other
passengers, laughed long and loud at this
Afterward came a long intercourse il
writing on one side and profane language
on the other, between the conductor anC
LH6 u0el Iudus ~ was lHIoITupJcQ ny bu'
owner of the lower berth foregoing hi
right, saying he would rather sleep above
that fighting character than under him.
The next morning, after we had beer
reused out to get off at this place, the stew
ard shook the deaf man.
"Time to get up, boss, ef you want t.
git off at Oakland" he said, mechanically
The man solemnly came to sitting posi-
tion and looked at his watch.
"Two o'clock, he said, "then hav'
an hour to sleep" and so he laid dow
again. Again the boy shook him.
"Look here, you scoundrel = he roared
elf you disturb me again I'll kick you nj
and down this car ~
"oh berry well, sleep ef you wants
to p'
And 50 we left at Oakland, with the dea
man sleeping the sleep of innocence anC
peace.