Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-09-25

Teddy was made the medium Tor convey
ing the thoughts Or wishes alternately from
one to the other. But John monopolized
so much of the boys companiOnship in his
new-found delight at giving vent to speech,
that Mrs. Benton still led rather lonely
life.
"But," thought she, "what is sauce for
the goose ought to be sauce for the gander,
and l will have girl Friday before the
week is out, in order to strengthen and
improve my vocal powers"
And so she did. Never was there more
astonished man than was John Benton on
the evening that he came chattering with
Teddy into the kitchen and stopped upon
the threshold to listen to the irrepressible
flood of female conversation that was being
poured forth within. Indeed, so intent was
Mrs. Benton on unburdening her long-pent-
up feelings that she did not notice the trans
till her startled ear caught the remark:
"Well, Teddy, this is surprise party,
isn't it?''
"Those, Maggie" said said Mrs. Benton,
''are the other half of this family"
1t was about this time that John commu-
nicated to his wife the mistake in regard
to the dress money and refunded to her
the amount. She in turn, through her
mouth-piece, intimated to him that his
company and services in driving the family
horse would be acceptable to take her to the
city to purchase her gown.
To this he readily assented, as he also had
business in the city. They had agreed upon
a plan of communication before leaving
home, through a small slate such as dumb
people use among those who do not under
stand their language.
On arriving at the gorgeous store they
manifested an awkward uneasiness, and
paused few minutes before entering. This
mute business in public was evidently not
relished by either of the parties. But final
ly they entered. Mrs. Benton was greeted
by polite salesman. She made known her
wishes and soon great mass of various
fabrics of all colors was spread out for her
inspection. She asked the price of piece
of a particular shade that she fancied, she
priced another piece of different color, and
during all this time she was vainly trying
in some indirect way to get an expression
of opinion from her husband as to his pref
erence. But she ignominiously failed. Her
face grew hot and excited. She was not
on speaking terms with her husband, and
vet she loved him we'll enough to refuse to
purchase or wear dress the color of which
he might not approve. She shrank from
the humiliation of the slate, but finding
there was no alternative but violation of
her VOW, she produced it and asked him the
simple question upon which her heart was
set. For answer he simply put his hand on
the piece of her choice, and she smiled
pleasantly as she turned to the spruce and
accommodating salesman. The latter, tax
ing in the situation at a glance with the
keen eye of an expert in humanity, suppos-
ing it was of course question of dollars
and cents she was propOunding to her un-
fortunate deaf and dumb husband, rapidly
wrote upon bit of paper, "Splendid goods
wear like iron; never fade; very cheap
fifty per cent. below cost price; never get
another chance like it," which paper he
placed in the hands Of the astonished Mr..
John Benton.
"What's this!" he exclaimed, looking
alternately from the clerk to his wife.
"Pears to me you're in hurry with your
bill, young man."
Never was there more astounded sales,
man behind a counter than this. And his
chagrin equalled his surprise. With con-
fused apology, which seemed to include
something about "deaf mute" he tried to
make amends by renewed courtesies and
attentions to Mrs. Benton, who was plunged
in misery. 1t is hard to conceive of Wo-
man so Wretched who had just come into
possession of a new and handsome outfit.
John Benton's special business in town
was to pay an insurance premium, and ne
and his wife called together at the palatial
Office Of the company. While waiting their
turn to become accommodated, John and his
wife stood near the door. AS he was look.
ing over city directory to pass away the
time, his wife, being seized with new idea,
wrote it out, and handed him the fatal slate
John, for convenience in reading the SEN
tence on the slate, put the directory under
IL, 1t,hn met o. fh0f
the pompous secretary of the insurance
company came in from the street, and tax.
ing in the situation with the keenness OF
sight and astuteness that characterize the
discerning city man, from a dry-goods
salesman up to high official in an insur.
ance company, he touched the fated John
upon the arm, and pointed to a card upon
the wall on which the legend ran thus, 'No
beggars, peddlers, or book agents allowed
to pursue their avocation here" 1t was
sometime before John or his wife could
comprehend the connecting link between
themselves and that card; but when, with
the mild assistance of the official dignitary,
it daWned upon them that John was taken
for book agent, Mrs. Benton turned purr'
pie with rage, and in explaining their busi-
ness there did not spare the feeling of the
wretch who had given another sting to her
wounded pride. But John was disposed
to laugh it off, and still further added to
the confusion of those present by transact
ing his business in good audible English.
1t remains to this day mystery to the
unfortunate dry-goOds clerk as we'll as to
the non-plussed secretary what could in
duce couple to converse together on a
slate who could use such forcible and intel
ligible language to others.
After their unfortunate experience in the
city the unhappy pair began to weaken
little in their resolution. Not only were
their mutual interests suffering in various
ways by reason of this very imperfect
means of communication, but as their love
for one another was strong and genuine, IN
spite of the foolish embargo they had put
upon their speech, they chafed under the
irksOme restraint of a prOtraced silence.
While they were both revolving in their
minds plans that might lead to way out
of the difficulty, fate came to their rescue,
and saved them from themselves, though in
an unexpected and painful way.
Upon the anniversary of their silence
John Benton and Teddy were busy in the
hay field, and as storm was threatening
Mrs. Benton and Maggie came to their res
cue with their rakes. A large load was on
volunteered to arrange the hay upon the
cart as John threw tup to them. John had
lust started to lead the horses to another
part of the field, when on looking up at the
load, he saw his wife still standing. HI
motioned to her to sit down, but she failed
to notice his signal, and the horses started
at the same time John saw her lunge back
ward and slide, head-foremost from the
load Before he could stop the team ano
get to her, she had struck the ground, upor
her head. With faint gasp and with .
semi-conscious but dazed cry, she said