Ellsworth American., 1874-10-01
Ny Cruelty to nv Relatives.

had an aunt coming to visit me for the
first time since my marriage, and l don't
know what evil genius prompted the wick
edness, Il acknowledge, with tears in my
eyes, that it was such) which perpetrat-
ed towards my wife and my ancient rela-
tive.
Ny dear said | to my wife, on the day
before my aunt's arrival; YOU know
Aunt Mary is coming tomorrow well, |
forgot to mention rather ANNOYING cir
cumstamce with regard to her. She's very
deaf; and. although she can hear my voice,
to which she is accustomed, in its ordinary
tones, yet you will be obliged to speak ex-
tremely loud in order to be heard. 1t will
be rather inconyenient. but know YOU
will do everything In your power to make
her stay agreeable
Mrs. ,. announced her determination to
make herself heard if possible
then went 10 John Thomas, who loves
joke about as well as any person know
OF, told him to be at my house at six z. NJ.
on the following evening, and felt com
paratively happy.
went to the railroad station with a car
riage, the next evening. and when | was on
my way home with my aunt, said. Dear
aunt, there is one rather annoying intlrm-
ity that Amelia has, which forgot to men
ton before. She's very deaf; and, although
she can hear my voice, to which she is ac-
customed, in its ordinary tones, yet you
will ba phli.raI 70
order to be heard. I'm sorry for it,
Aunt Mary, in the goodness of her heart
protested that she rather liked speaking
loud, and to do SO would afford her great
pleasure.
The carriage drove UPON the steps was
my wife-at the window was John Thorn
as, with a face as utterly solemn as though
he had buried all his relatives that after
noon.
handed out my aunt-she assembled the
steps.
4 am delighted to see you,' shrieked my
wife, and the policeman on the opposite
side Of the street started, and my a'tq,
nearly tell down the steps.
Kiss me, my DEAR howled my aunt:
and the hall lamp clattered, and the win
dows shook as with the fever and ague. |
looked at the window-John had disap-
peared. Human nature could stand it no
longer. poked my head into the car
riage, and went into strong commissions.
When entered the parlor, my wife was
helping Aunt Mary to take off her bonnet
and cape; and there sat John with his face
of woe.
Suddenly. Did you have a pleasant
journey? went off my wife like pistol,
and John Thomas rather jumped to his
feet.
Rather dusty was the response. in
war-whoop, and so the conversation con-
tinued.
The neighbors for streets around must
have heard it; when l was in the third
story of the building, heard every word
plainly.
In the course Of the evening, my aunt
took occasion to say to me. How loud
your wife speaks! Don't it hurt herr
told her all deas persons talked loudly. |
and that my wife, being used to it, was not .
affected by the exertion, and that Aunt |
Mary was getting along very nicely with
her.
Presently my wife said, softly. ALI, how
very loud your aunt talksv
Yes said !, all deaf persons do. You're
getting along with her finely; she hears
every word you say And rather think
she did.
Elated by their success at being under
stood. they went at it, hammer and tongs.
Everything on the mantel-piece catered
again, and l was seriously afraid of
crowd collecting in front Of the house,
But the end was near. My aunt. being |
Of an investigating turn Of mind, was de-
sirons of finding it out whether the exer-
ton oftalking so loud was not injurious to |
my wife. So said she, in an unearthly |
hOot-fOr her voice was not as musical as
it was when she was young. Doesn't
talking SO loud strain your lungs?
1T is an exertion,' shrieked my wife.
Then why do you do it?' was the an
swering scream. a
'Because-because-you can't hear, if
don't; squealed my wife.
What? said my aunt, fairly rivalling a
railroad whistle, this time.
l began to think it time to evacuate the
premises; and, looking round, and seeing
John gone, stepped into the back parlor,
and there he lay, fat on his back, with his