Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-05-07
AMUSEMENT OF DEAF MUTEs.
Tho Interpreter Put the Laugh ON the
Right Side.

Right Side.
One of the particular pleasures or
deaf mutes is to learn what others are
saying about them, and for this reason
they always like to have an interpreter
along when there is a party of them.
together.
A very interesting affair took place on
a street car that carried a party of deaf
mutes from the school to the railroad
station. They were going to see one OF
their schoolmates off to her distant
home. There were two interpreters in
the party, but they kept their voices to
themselves, SO that it wasn't long until
the other occupants of the car became
satisfied they were all dummies" and
began talking about them in free and
easy manner.
OF course the interpreters reported
everything that was said, and it kept
the little party in an uproar of delight.
Could the takers have read the signs
that were being made by supple fingers
and mobile faces they would hardly
have had any cause for self-congratula-
tions.
Two young ladies in the car seemed to
think the mutes real funny. AT first
they spoke in low tones, but when as
sured that the funny people couldn't
hear they began to talk out loud.
'Why, he doesn't seem to mind being
deaf at all; does he? said one.
mo. Not bit. And he doesn't look
as if he couldn't hear, either, does he ?"
Then the fun began. The rapid inter-
probation of this conversation to the
mutes by the subject of it was sufficient
to convulse them, and the interpreters
reputation as a humorist was
established. The talk continues; the
conductor, too, became interested and
discussed the mutes as freely and philo.
sophically, being sure, of course, as
were the others, that they had ears, but
heard not. Even the face of the fare
Indicator was overspread with q smile,
but it was mute.
''See, isn't he funny?" said one. "How
he makes them laugh" said another.
And not one was aware that he or she
was furnishing ammunition for the
humorist interpreter; whereas, as mat!
source of the mutes' fun for the entire
five-mile ride, and they were soon to be
told this in a shocking manner. When
the car reached the point at which the
mutes wished to alight their spoIes-
man, the supposedly deaf young man.
did. what anyone in his position would
have done had he wanted the car to
stop; in strong, resolute tones he asked
the conductor to pull the bell rope.
These words: stop the car, please,
conductor" coming in full force, in
voice loud and clear, had the effect of
peal of thunder from clear sky fol-
lowed by thick clouds in place of sun
shine. The girls in the corner blushed
and said uncomplimentary things under
their breath; the conductor became
busily engaged at his end of the car; the
apple woman exclaimed with her GUS
tomary cXpletive: ~ tot he wor deef;"
young man remarked to his best girl,
who, by the way, had previously en-.
lightened the other occupants upon the
subject of mutes and their habits:
81 suppose he thinks he's smart"
With such farewells the mutes and
their escort took their departure. This
is only one of great many such ex-
periences that hearing person may
have when travelling with the deaf. It
is also an example of a joke upon the
people which the mutes thoroughly ell
joy.-Pittsburgh Commercial Gazette.