The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-09-27

hNe~eANNI
also had business in the city. They
had agreed upon plan of communica-
tion before leaving home, through a
small slate such as dumb people use
among those who do not understand
their language.
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 enter
ed, Mrs. Benton was greeted by a
polite salesman. She made known her
wishes and soon a great mass of various
fabrics of all colors was spread out for
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 III 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 dress the color Of
which he might not approve. She
shrank from the humiliation of the
slate, but finding there was no alter
native 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 accommodating salesman.
The latter, taking in the situation at
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
aud dumb husband, rapidly wrote upon
bit of paper, splendid goods; wear
like iron; never fade; very cheap; fifty
per cent. below cost price; nevet get
another chance like it," which paper he
PldCOu III Iuo htiiuo VI tuo doJOulolltu
Mr.. John Benton.
"What's this2" 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 a more astonished
salesman behind counter than this.
And his chagrin equaled his surprise.
With a confused 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 a
woman 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 he and his wife called together at
the palatial office Of the company.
While waiting their turn to be accom-
modated 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 new idea,
wrote it out, and handed him the fatal
slate. John for convenience in reading
the sentence on the slate, put the
directory under his arm, whereupon,
Just at this moment, the pompous
secretary Of the insurance company
came in from the street, and taking III
the situation with the keenness of sight
and astuteness that characterize the
discerning city men, from dry goods
salesman up to high official in an in
surance 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 theiI
avocations here" 1t was some time
before John or his wife could compre-
hend 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 wound
ed pride. But John was disposed tC
laugh it off, and still further added tc
the confusion of those present by
transacting his business in good audible
English.
1t remains to this Gay mystery tc
the unfortunate dry goods clerk as wei
as to the nonplussed secretary wha.
could induce a couple to converse
together on slate who could use such
forcibie and ineligible language tc
others.
After this unfortunate experience in
the city the unhappy pair began tc
weaken little in their resolution
Not only were their mutual interest.
suffering in various ways by reason o.
this very imperfect means Of com,
municatlon, but as their love for one
another was strong and genuine, IL
spite Of the foolish embargo they hat
put upon their speech, they chatet
under the irksome restraint of pro
tracted silence. While they were botI
revolving in their minds plans thai
might lead to a way out of the diff
Guilty, fate came to their rescue ant
saved them from themselves, though il
an unexpected and painful way.
Upon the anniversary of their silence
John Benton and Teddy were busy il
the hay field, and as storm wa
threatening, Mrs. Benton and Maggie
came to the rescue with their rakes
A large load was on the wagon, ant
Mrs. Benton and Maggie volunteered
to arrange the hay upon the cart a
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