St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-01-17

finished her erraDd, however, she wit
real interest reverted to Mr. BlOdgett'
peculiar trial.
"My father couldn't hear much bet
ter with the trumpet than without it,,
said she, "and he was no deafer,
should say, than yOu."
"Few are" responded Mr. Blodgett
with the pardonable pride of one emi
nent in misfortune.
''Do yOu have noises in your head 2
'Any amount of 'em. Sometimes it
mills, and sometimes it's engines.
tell 'em the jar of the machinery ha,
paralyzed the roots of my hair"
ats hard dispensatiOn," observed
Miss Lovantia, referring to the noises
and as she spoke she slyly wiped away
a tear.
The tear had been for her dear ole
father, similarly afflicted in his las
years; but how was Mr.. BlOdgett
to know this ? What wonder that he
fancied that the sympathetic woman
was weeping for himself, and that the
uRlOOked-for display of sentiment en-
barrassed while it thrilled him
ooh, 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"
''JuSt the way dear father used to
talk" mused Miss LOvantia, much agi-
tated. "POssibly, now, some of his ear
instruments might help this unfortu-
nate mortal. wish you'd try pair
of auricles have ut my brothers," she
said, aloud. "YOu know my brother,
Ephraim Kittredge ~
"Know Ephraim Kittredge? ? I'm
proud to say do. There isn't likelier
man i'll HillsbOrO," replied Mr. Blod-
gett, warmly. He might have added
that he also knew, by reputation, Mr..
kittredge's maiden sister, LOvantia,
who had for years managed the home
stead farm ut Hillsboro Centre like a
man, meanwhile caring for her infirm
old father like the most wOmenly of
women, but on this point he main
tanned a discreet reserve.
"Call over to his house any time.
and III be glad to fit those auricles in
for you, Mr.. Blodgett, and if they don't
suit, perhaps the ear drums will. |
hope So"
"Thank You kindly" he replied, in
pleased flutter.
Really he could not remember when
he had seen lady so interested in
himself. He took unwearied pains to
entertain his amiable guest, showing
her curious stuffed specimens of the
furred and feathered species, and talk
ing very intelligently of their peculiari-
ties. He was not ut all sorry that Mr.
Kittredge's colt was fractions that
afternoon about being shOd, since it
protracted Miss Lovantia's call.
"HOw lonesome it seems without
woman in the house," he mused when
again left to the companionship of
owls and bats. II haven't
missed mother so since Christmas.r
Then, by an easy transition, his
thoughts reverted to his late caller. also
bereaved of a parent. The encomiums
avished upon her may have predisposed
him in Miss Lovantia's tavOr-for Mr..
Blodgett was Il man quite capable of
the beauty of fiial devo-
tion-yet it must be confessed that
it was her frankly expressed interest
in himself which had chiefly attracted
him in that first interview. So far rs
bcr appliances for deafness were con
.erned, he had been disappointed in
too many such to have faith in any of
Them. At the same time he was more
.han willing to try whatever she might
II must look in at Kittredge's to-
night it's only civil, ," he cOgitated. the
next evening, while carefully sprink-
ing Moses empty skin. with arsenic
Il wouldn't have his sister think I'm
Ingrateful."
Mr.. and Mrs. Kittredge chanced to
pe at the village, and Miss Lovantia.
having packed away the little olive
branches for the night, was reading on
he porch in the twilight.
"Ah, mustn't try your eyes, ma'am,"
VAS Mr.. Blodgett's greeting as he as
ended the steps.
She laid aside the newspaper with
smile, perhaps not altogether averse to
Iaving it seen that she did not wear
,pectacies.
"A fine evening"" continued Mr..
8l0dgett, with an approving glance to-
ward the amber sunset.
Miss Lovantia nodded aquiescence.
md having seated her guest, brought
1t once the artificial ear drums.
These were shield-shaped cOntrivances
,f vulcanized rubber, suggestive of
miniature butter stamps. Grasping
Zach by its delicate handle, Miss L0-
Iantia inserted them in the ears of her
patient. "Can you hear what | say ?"
she demanded, as test question.
"Stay4 Yes, they'll stay fast
enough"
81 said, can you hear what ! say 7n
''TOO much play Oh no; they fit
rs tight as a cork in IA bottle"
"Can you" A wall from the bed
'oOm prevented a repetition of the sen
.ence and the possible rupture of
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
interruption and he was still cOnvers
ng by himself in an animated strain
when his hostess returned with the in
ant. Apparently the child took him
or an enlarged fellow baby, for at the !
tight of his bald head its weeping
leased, and it sprang gIeefully into his
arms.
"Do you love children ?" shouted the
lunt, left empty yhanded.
"NO, never had; | am a bachelor"
Mr.. Blodgett, in evident
Miss LOvantia lost no time in ex-
changing the disappointing ear drums
or her fathers auricles.
''He always said they looked like a
couple of sounding boards" she cried, /!
ettling them in place, while the baby |
IN Mr.. Blodgett's knee loudly applaud
ID.
81 shouldn't care how they looked |
IN the roads if they'd help my hearing
caught yOur meaning quicker that
ime