Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-05-23
to myself, as I returned to the draw

Bravo! Kitty, you did first-rate, "
exclaimed Richard; "I really had no
idea your lungs were so strong. Upon
my word, l believe he is deafer than
Aunt Sarah"
81 should Judge they were just
about on a par in that respect laughed
Harry. BY George! it's most capi-
tai match"
"But at all events" I remarked,
"there is one difference, for he frankly
owns up to being leetle hard O. hear
ing, but you never could pursuade
Aunt Sarah that she was deaf the least
mite. But where is she, Evelyn-in
| her room ?"
Evelyn replied in the affirmative,
and up stairs posted to notify her of
Mr.. Hornets arrival, and desire to
see her.
"Aunt Sarah" l exclaimed burst
ing into the room, " Simon Hornet has
come"
Seen your bonnet?" said Aunt
Sarah, looking up drowsily from her
work. "La, no child, l haven't seen
nothing of yer bunnet."
;"No, no aunty," 1 said, oxerting
myself to the utmost to speak distinctly,
so as to be understood, 81 said ST.
mon Hornet was down stairsv'
"Well who said it wasn't down
stairs" snarled out Aunt Sarah.
"Why don't you so down and get it,
if you want it?
"Gracicus heavens! I exclaimed,
pausing to wipe the prespiration from
my forehead, 81 believe it's of no NOR
tai use to try to make her hear How
ever, here goes once more"
"Aunt Sarah, old Simon Hornet is
down stairs in the sitting-room"
Well, what of it, she returned
testify.
He wants to see you, aunty," I
yelled in reply
"Well, you needn't scream so, child" "
she returned, pettishly, "any one would
suppose l was deaf by the way you hol-
ler Is it old Simon Hornet?'
" Yes, aunty."
"Well, don't see what on airth the
critter wants; bnt hand me my cap and
spectacles, Kitty, and I'll go down and
see.'
l obeyed with alacrity, and then I
hastened down stairs to acquaint my
companions with the result.
After short consultation, we agreed
to adjourn to a small clcthes-press,
situated between the dining and sit
ting room, with door opening into it
from both apartments. In the top of
this cozy place of concealment was n
window covered with blinds, so that we
could both see and hear without being
seen ourselves.
We had hardly slowed ourselves
snugly in, when Aunt Sarah made her
appearance.
Good morning, Mr.. Hornet" she
said with stately courtesy,
"Good morning, mum! glad to see
you looking so well, mum" responded
Mr.. Hornet, Gallantly.
Yes, sir, pretty good, thank you"
returned my aunt, mistaking his re-
mark for an inquiry after her health.
6 said, mum, l was glad to see you
looking so we'll, repeated Mr.. Hornet
placing his lips close to her ear.
q heard you, sir" said Aunt Sarah; :;
drawing back with an air of offended
dignity. my health is very good; 1
hope yours is the same, Mr.. Hornet"
eyes, mum; but found it pretty
cold riding over the hill this morning" )"
"Ah, got q bad cold; I am sorry to
hear it; somehow or another a great
many people are ailing with colds lately.
There's my neice, Sarah Jane, she was
here yesterday, and she was so hoarse
that could scarcely hear a word she
said, and her little boy was taken with
the Group the other night, and liked to
have died"
II didn't say anything about having
cold" said poor Mr.. Hornet, get
ting slightly riled up. ct said the
weather was pretty cold for the season. 4"
" Yes, l expect the cold weather is
the reason" said Aunt Sarah, Grossly.
"When folks takes cold, it's most GIN
orally on account of the cold weather,
any fool knows that!'
I" Do you mean to tell me to my fa co
that I'm fool madam" shouted Mr..
Hornet, flushing up as red as a boiled
lobster.
La sakes," said Aunt Sarah, coolly
taking pinch of snuff, ''I don't know
but may as we'll say it to your face as
behind your back. But what is the
use in your hollerin' loud enough to
take bodys head off p"
L don't know how you're to hear
me if l don't" said Mr.. Hornet, still
louder.
II hope you don't think all the
world is deaf because you happen to
be? screamed Aunt Sarah.
eff you are not deaf, 1 never saw
anybody that vast replied Mr.. Hor-
net, choked with rage.
II guess you never looked in the
glass, then, retorted the lady sarcas-
tically. People who are deaf as a
post are very apt to imagine everybody
else is"
"You haven't heard straight word
I hax Il