The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-28

that I should never more hear the
sweet music Of her voice. She looked
right pitiful at ME and then smiled
and said: "Good morning, Mr.. Hasty.''
"Seyenty-fve cents" said I.
I expect they will play off on me now
and say all sorts of things to- try me,
for they don't believe that I am deaf.
I wish that I weren't Iremember about
q yourg man who out Of mischief
wrote to his mother that his intended,
was the loveliest girl in the world, but
unfortunately was deaf-very deaf.
She was wealthy and beautiful and
smart and alniable and domestic and
loved him devotedly and he loved her
most fondly and was going to marry
her very soon and take her to his home
on a bridal tour. The rascal told his
intended wife that his good old mother
was the best woman in the world, but
was deaf-very deaf aud it would be
quite an effort to talk to her, etc. In
due time they were married and journ-
eyed to his mothers home. The
mother and the bride. met at the gate
and embraced most lovingly and then
began to scream in each others ear
their congratulations while the young
man stood off to one side just dying
with laughter, for the truth was that
neither the bride nor the mother was
deaf at all. .".... .,
But there is some good in every Attic
ton. Deaf people are generally good
people, thoughtful and kind. If they
get so from being deaf then there is a
chance for me yet. Then, again, they
are exempt from being asked many
questions and from hearing many
things that distract the mind and
harden the heart. I never knew but
one right square out honest street cot
ton buyer, and he was deaf. He bought
for q banker who was as deafas he was,
and it was funny to see them 60 out
behind the banking house to talk busi-
ness. You could hear them from the
back alley, but they didn't have any
secrets, for the banker was the purest
and best man who ever lived in Rome.
Deaf men can't have any secrets, for
folks won't tell them any. They have
to talk too loud. So I'll never hear any
more town talk, and 'I'll never have
any occasion to abuse anybody any
more. .., - ... .....-
Bat I've had another birthday and 80
has my grandson, the junior, who is
now twenty-one. I am forty-six years
bis senior, bat he is gaining on me.
Old ammo Domini never stops to take
breath, and the years are all coming
this way. . .',...,..:
We had a peacock and: a turkey for
dinner and some ice cream for desert,
and everybody was happy. I can still
hear the dinner bell, thank goodness. I
received a bushel of kisses and wishes
and some cuff buttons and q beautiful
chair for the patriarch, and kind
lady sent me esome old-fashioned ginger
cakes made up with. black molasses. I
would have given a hundred dollars if
they had tasted as good as when I was
a boy, but ate them, nevertheless. ....
=, =, My wife believes in birthdays and
birthday presents and Christmas gifts
for her children and grandchildren, and
for me too, though I am no kin to her
in the world. If she can'tget presents
any other way she will go to town and
buy them and have them charged to
me. That is all right, Of course, for
what is hers is hers and what is mine
is hers too. So it is all right and no loss
on our side. THERE'S no similarity, of
course, but somehow it reminds me Of
what Aunt Ann said about Uncle
Sam: my ole man is powerful fond of
chicken: if he can't git chicken no
oder way he'll 60 off and buy one."
'.. :r,.... BILL ARP.