Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1874-03-19

rid of the wretch? What under the
sun possessed Uncle lothian to send
him off down here q? I never was so
provoked in all my life, nevern'
''I'll tell you what I'll do" said
Bell, after silence OF a minute OF
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"
"lf you only would !" cried l.
81 will, answered Bell, her eyes
sparkling with anticipated pleasure
"Pm going to make Mr.. Finch think
that I'm deaf-deaf as a post. Oh, my !!
won't it be jolly, though ?"
Bell leaned back in her chair, and
laughed till her sides ached.
Monday morning Mr.. Finch came.
We took a 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 gentle
man had evidently got on his best
Sunday 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, I'm deaf, remember said Bell,
warningly 81 shan't be able to hear
anything short of respectable
scream -
went to the door.
''Is this Miss Susan Spencer ?" ask
ed Mr. Finch, as he entered.
"Susan is in the sitting room," 1
answered. "Tll introduce you. You
are Mr.. Finch, aren't you ?"
''Yes'm; Caleb Finch" he respond
ed SO solemnly that I wanted to gig
gle.
We took him into the sitting room
where Bell was.
''Susan," said I, in a loud voice.
''this is Mr.. Finch"
II don't hear what you say said
''Susan," turning her ear toward me
''Speak little louder, if you please.
'tThis is Mr.. Finchw ~ screamed I
in her ear. thought must laugh, tC
see how Mortified Mr.. Finch looked.
"Inr glad to see you, Mr.. Finch,
said "Susan," with beaming smile
''Take chair-bring it close, if yor
please, because I'm slightly affected
with deafness. How are the chill
dren {"
''Pretty well,'' answered Mr.. Finch
taking a seat beside her.
Louder, if you please" sait
"Susan," presenting her ear
"Pretty well," answered Mr.. Finch
in fair war. whoop.
L managed to keep my face turned
the other way, and had hard work tC
keep from screaming.
81 was much touched at what Uncle
lothian wrote about your kindness t.
you late wife, said ''Susan," with {
fond glance into Mr.. Finch's face
E'What did she die of?
''Congestion of the brain," answered
Mr.. Finch, his voice about two oc
taves higher than its usual pitch.
81 didn't hear,'' said "Susan." "A
trife louder, Mr. Finch y
Mr.. Finch repeated his reply in Sc
loud tone that he got red in the fac
with the exertion It's utterance caused
him.
"Ah!"
"Susan" comprehended at last.
"Is she aZa0ays so p" he asked, turn
ing to me, and wiping his face Vigor
: ously with big red and yello1
handkerchief.
''She isn't quite as deaf all the time,
, l answered, demurely.
Pretty soon Mr.. Finch made anoth
er attempt at conversation.
"You have very pretty place here,
E he shouted.
Eyes; groceries are pretty dear,
responded ''Susan." "You're righ
about that, Mr.. Finch,'
a "Pretty place." explained Nj
t Finch, getting desperate, ssPrett
n place % and he waved his hand towar
e the garden and grounds.
q eyes, 1 know" answered "Susan,
s mournfully; "but it couldn't be hell
n ed, suppose"
:, Mr.. Finch cast despairing glanc
D at me- I had to leave the room.
it could stand it no longer.
n When l was safely outside the doc
1 laughed till 1 could laugh no NOR
+ I could only chuckle in kind of a fain
l. imitation of laugh. hadn't strengt
enough left for the genuine article.
AS l sat there | heard Mr.. Fine
y shouting in his highest tones
:, "Susan," who always had to hay
IS everything repeated to her. 1t WASH
:, long before he began to get hoarse, fc
if she kept him busy. A dozen times
l. while we were eating dinner, though
n l must laugh; it was so comical t
see "Susan," not muscle of her faC
it relaxing from its dignifed look, holc
IT ing out her ear for Mr.. Finch to repe
IS his remarks in it. He couldn't hay
eaten his dinner, if he had had tt
Il best of appetites.
}. All the afternoon "Susan kept hi
o sitting by her. 1 could see the poe
k man, half tired out, casting fugiti'
d elances at the clock.
e, At last he got up, and beckont
1T me to come into the hall.
II "'I think I'll be a goin' back" |
d said, with sigh that indicated he
III great his disappointment was.
Mt come down, on your uncle's recoI
- mend, to make some kind of BIZ
of gain with your sister Susan he nev
told me word about her bein'
d, deaf"
re 'sIts an unfortunate affiiction,"
said, feeling that he expected me
so say something
rt eyes, very" answered. Mr.. Fine
r | with anothar siCh tGJ boin1t eoid o =,