Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-05-24

one would suppose l was deaf"
| was not surprised at this remark,
for it is a distinguishable trait with
deaf people to dislike any notice taken
of their infrmity; so bawled in an
even higher key that she must not be
offended, that loud speech was
popularity of mine, and l begged her
not to notice it.
| But by afternoon was so exhaust
ed that every word uttered was
torture of the keenest description;
fortunatelya friend called, and as my
aunt was not inclined to talk, l low
cred my voice, moistened my fevered
lips, ana gasped in my natural tones ::
"Oh, Julia, it's positively awful.
She's as deaf as door-post, and has
come to stay month. | shall die, |
know shall.
81 wouldn't try 70 talk to her." said
my friend; let her amuse herself.
You'll only make yourself ill. You
look as you had fever on now."
"But l must be civil to her." said,
looking straight at my respected aunt
in-law, and using my natural tones.
''She's immensely rich"
"What's that?" asked Aunt Han
nah, with sudden interest. "Who is
that has the itch ?"
"There," I said, "that is as much as
she hears-deaf as a stone-or an ad-
der but full of curiosity. Don't go,
Julia; keep me company till Caspar
comes. l shall have diphtheria-my
throat is raw now-if you leave me
alone with her."
had tried to be very English in
order to make good impression, and
had remarked more than once, apropos
Of the weather, that it was beastly
cold, and had alluded to my dress as
a ''frock," and called all the pitchers
in the in the house "ewers," while |
denounced everything that didn't
suit me as nasty" | could not tell
how my doubtful English was re-
ceived, for Aunt Hannah made no
sign, and I told my friend Julia, in
utter despair, that l didn't care.
81 even feel" l continued desper-
ately,' ''that her money could never pay
the strain of keeping up a converse
ton with her. 1t is positively
wicked in her not to carry an ear
trumpet"
When Caspar came home he duti-
fully embraced his aunt, who had
been perfectly silent silent for an
hour or two, and said to me:
"Well, my dear, how have you and
Aunt Hannah enjoyed yourselves?' ~
"Not at ALL" l answered shortly,
in voice did not try to moderate,
for | was tired and cross. 81 might
as we'll have talked to some one in the
next county. My voice is ruined,
and l don't believe she heard half
what said, as it was"
"Oh, yes I heard you perfectly"
said the old lady vindictively; |
thought you said that was your nat
ural voice and she smiled grimly.
Good heavens can you hear" l
gasped.
81 could have heard you if | had
been dead" she snapped ont.
"What does this mean? ?" asked
Caspar, staring from one to the other.
"Your wife imagined l was deaf
retorted Aunt Hannah.
81 imagined! you told me she had
lost her hearing" l asked family.
Caspar laughed; nay, more, he
roared.
at must have been my cockney pro-
nunciation that got the better of me
for moment. l meant her hearing,
my dear"
"Yes, yes," I said, Historically,
"that is what you said"
"Lottie, don't be stupid" said my
husband scan you spell hearing?
Earring, there! 1t was valuable
diamond solitaire, not easily matched,
and snc naturally felt sorry about
it,
Was there ever such blunder! |
could have given Caspar good
shaking for placing me in such
false position, but then it occurred to
me that | was the one to be shaken
for an actual want of principle IN
speculating upon the wealth of Aunt
Hannah before her very face. Much
good did it do me. She went away
the next day, telling Caspar she was
corru ba had oucb q fool for a uifa opd