The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-09-20


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 plan of communication
before leaving home, through a small
slate such as dumb people use among
those who do not understand their Ian
guage. ....
On arriving at the gorgeous store
they manifested an awkward uneasi-
ness, and paused few minutes before
entering. This mute business in public
was evidently not relished by either OF
the parties. But finally they entered.
Mrs. Benton was greeted by a polite
salesman. She made known her
wishes, and soon a great mass of vari-
Gus fabrics of all colorS was spread out
for her inspection. She asked the price
of a piece of a particular shade that she
fancied; she priced another piece of a
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 preference.
But she ANONYMOUSLY failed. Her face
grew hot and excited She was not on
speaking terms with her husband, and
yet she loved him well enough to refuse
to purchase or wear a dress the color
of which he might not approve She
shrank from the humiliation of the
slate, but finding there was no alterna-
tive but violation of her VOW, she pro-
duced 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, taking in the situation at Il
glance with the keen eye of an expert
in humanity, and supposing it was of
course question of dollars and cents
she was propounding to her unfortunate
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 pa
per he placed in the hands of the aston
ished Mr.. John Benton.
whats this?' he exclaimed, look
ing alternately from the clerk to his
wife. Pears to me you're in hurry
with your bill, young man"
Never was there more astounded
salesman behind counter than this.
And his chagrin equalled his surprise.
With confused apology, which seemed
to include something about ''deaf-
mute" he tried to make amends by
renewed courtesies and attentions to
Mrs. Benton, vino was plunged in mis-
cry. 1t is hard to conceive of a
woman so wretched who had lust come
into possession of new and handsome
outfit.
John Benton's special business in
town was to pay an insurance premi-
UNI, and he and his wife called togeth-
er at the palatial Office of the company.
While waiting their turn to be accomo-
dated, John and his wife stood near
the door. As he was looking over a
city directory to pass away the time,
his wife, being seized with a new idea,
wrote it out, and handed him the fatal
slate. John, for convenience in read
ing the sentence on the slate, put the
directory under his arm, whereupon.
Just at this moment, the pOmpouS secre-
tary of the insurance company came in
from the street, and taking in the stu
alton with the keenneSs of sight and
astuteness that characterize the dis
corning city man, from a dry-goods
salesman up to high official in an in
surance company, he touched the fated
John upon the arm, and pointed to
card upon the wall on which the legend
ran thus: "No beggars, peddlers, or
book agents allowed to pursue their
avocations here" 1t was some time
before John or his wife could compre-
bend 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 purple with rage, and
in explaining their business there did
not spare the feelings of the wretch
who had given another sting to her
wounded pride. But John was dis
posed to laugh it. off, and still further
added to the confusion of those pres
ent by transacting his business in good
audible English.
1t remains to this day a mystery to
the unfortunate dry goods clerk, as well
as to the nonplussed secretary, what
could induce couple to converse to-
gether on slate who could use such
forcible and ineligible 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 suffer-
ing in various ways by reason of this
very imperfect means of cOmmunca-
ton, 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 irk-
some restraint of protracted 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 them
selves, 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 the storm was
threatening, Mrs. Benton and Maggie
came to the rescue with their rakes. A
large load was on the wagon, and Mrs.
Benton and Maggie volunteered to ar
range the hay upon the cart rs John
threw it up to them. John had just
started to lead the horses to another