The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-02-06

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plosiDness that poor Mr. Blcdgett re-
cooled as if his ear were being drilled by
a sand-blast,
"Don't distress Yourself TO raise yonr
voice" pleaded he, from safe distance.
'In the trumpet can hear ordinary
conversation, This, / take II, is the
catefslqueY" he added, facelionsly, as
Miss Lovantia mutely handed him the
basket. "Or do you call it an ark ? I'll
draw Moses out Of it, anyway" It.
She responded by scant smile, and
another Of her mods adapted to the deaf
Pleasantly was well IN It's way, but it
must not stand in the way Of business.
When she had satisfactorily finished her
errand, however, she with real interest
reverted to Mr.. Blodgetts peculiar
trial.
"My father couldn't hear much better
with the trumpet than without 1t, ;" she
said, "and he was no dealer, | should
say, than you"
"Few are" responded Mr.. Blodgett,
with the pardonable pride of one emf
nent in misfortune.
"Do you have noises in your headT"
"Any amount Of 'em. Sometimes it's
mills, and sometimes It's engines.
tell 'cm the jar of the machinery has
uarayzed the roots Of my hair
"Tt's a hard dispen5ation," observed
Miss Loyantia, referring to the noises,
and as she spoke she slyly wiped away
tear.
The tear had been for her dear old
father, similarly afflicted in his last
years; but how was Mr.. BlOdgett to
know this? What wonder that he
fancicd the sympathetic woman was
weeping. for himself, and that the nm
lookGd.f6r display Of sentiment embar-
raised while il thrilled him?
"Oh, get along pretty well, said |
he, cheerily STOPPING for the PROSTATE
owl, in order to hide his blushing face,
and thus revealing his still more blush
ing crown. 81 keep busy, and make
the most Of my eyes
"Jnst the way dear father used to
talk, unused Miss Lovantia, much agi-
tated. "Possibly, now, some of his ear
instruments might help this unfortunate
mortal. | wish you'd try a pair of
auricles have ut my brothers," she
said, aloud. "You know my brother,
Ephraim Kiltredge?"
"Kuow Ephaim KittredgeP I'm
proud TO say do. There isn't likeIicr
man in Hilsboro, replied Mr.. Blodgett,
warmly lie might have added that he
| also knew, by reputation, Mr.. Kittredge's
maiden sister Loyantia, who had for
years managed the homestead farm at
Billsboro Centre like man, meanwhile
caring for her infirm old father like the
most womnnly Of women, but ON this
point he maintained discreet silence.
"Cnll over TO his house any time, and
I'll be glad to fit those auricles in for
you, Mr. Blodgett; and If they don't
suit, perhaps the Gardrums will. |
hope 80"
"Thank you kindly" he replied, in n
pleased hutter.
Really he could not remember when
he had seen lady so Interested in him
self. He took unwcaried pains to en-
terrain his nmiablo guest, showing her
curious stuffed specimens of the furred
and feathercd species and talking very
intclligcntly Of their peculiarities. lie
was not Mt all sorry that Mr.. Kitiredgc's
colt was fractions That afternoon about
being shod, since it protrHctcd Miss
IOyuntia's call.
GLOW lonesome it seems without n
woman in the house." he unused when
again left TO the companionship Of
mummied owls and balls. 81 haven't
missed mother 80 since last Christmas. I"
Then, by nm easy transition, his
thoughts reverted to his late caller. also
borrowed Of n parent The cncomiums
lavishcd upon her may have predisposed
him in Miss Lovantia's fayOr-fOr Mr..
Blodgett was man quito capable Of ap.
preciating the beauty OF tlial devotion
yet IL must be confessed that IL was her
frankly expressed interest in himself
which had chiefly attracted him in that
first interview. So far M her appliances
for deafness were concerned, he had
been disappointed in too many such to
have faith in any Of them. At the same
timo he was more than willing to try
whatever she might suggest.
81 must look in ut Kittredgo's to-
night it's only civil" he cogitated, the
next evening, while carefully sprnkling
Moscs's empty skin with arsenic. ~
wouldn't have his sister think I'm un-
grateful
Mr.. and Mrs. Kittredge Glanced to he
Mt the village and Miss Lovantin, hay
ing packed away the little olive branch.
es for the night, was reading on the
porch in the twilight.
"Ah, mustn't try your eyes, ma am,
was Mr.. Blodgctt's greeting as he as
cended the steps.
She laid inside the newspaper with n
smile, perhaps not altogether averse to
having ii seen that she did not wear
| spectacles.
"a fine evening"" continued Mr..
Blodgett, with an approving glance
toward the amber sunset.
Miss Lovantia nodded acquescence
and having seated her guest, brought ut
once the artificial ear-drums. These
were shield-shaped conhivances of vul-
canized rubber, suggestive OF miniature
buttcr-stamps. Grasping each by its
delicate handle, Miss Loyantia inserted |
them in the ears of her patient. "Can
you hear what | say?" she demanded,
as test question.
"Stay. Yes, they'll stay fast enough"
81 said, Can you hear what / sayg" |
"Too much play? Oh, no; they fit |
as tight IA cork in bottle" |
Can you" A wall from tho bed.
room prevented the repetition of the |
sentence and tho possible rupture of n
blood-vessel. Miss Lovantia had walked
the baby.
"Why, no, / can't see that | hear
much better with my ears plugged, re-
marked Mr.. Blodgett, unaware of the in.
terr,lption; and he was still conversing
by himself in nm animated strain when
his hostess returned with the infant. APP
parently the child mistook him for an
enlarged fellow-baby, for at sight of his
bald head its weeping ceased, and it
sprang gleefully into his arms. .,
"Do You love children?" shouted the