Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-08-04
Love AND DEAFNESS,

iCopyright. 1909. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l


Fergus MacAlister. Scotch Pres
byterian minister, having lost the
power Of speaking distinctly. became
burden on his congregation In or
der to get rid of him they suggested
that he go to more salubrious cli-
mate and build up another church.
There were many English speaking
tourists In southern Italy. and the pas
tor was packed of to Naples. where.
instead of succeeding in establishing
church, he supported himself and his
family by entertaining said tourists in
what is called in Europe pension. in
America boarding house.
There came to Mr. MacAlister's PEN
sion an American party consisting of
Mr. Blobson. an old gentleman deaf
as post: Mrs. Harker. widow. deaf
as Mr. Blobson, and Alice Harker. her
daughter, aged twenty-five, confirmed
globe trotter. Miss Harker was espe-
cially anxious that her mother. whom
she found 1t inconvenient to drag
about with her. should in some way
be soothed The Harkers had met Mr..
Blobson in Paris, and they had all trav-
eled together to Naples. On the way
Miss Harker had conceived the idea of
marrying her mother to Mr. Bobson,
though how the two were to get on
together, both suffering from the same
physical defect, she did not consider.
The beginning of the party's stay with
the MacAlisters was not suspicious.
Mr.. MacAlister at dinner. after his
guests had been seated, bent his head
and began to speak in low tone.
What's that?" asked Blobson.
The host paused. somewhat discon-
certed, then. without noticing the In
terruption. began again.
Speak louder I'm hard of hearing"
persisted Blobson.
The Scotchman raised his head and
spoke as loud as his impaired voice
would admit But 1t was no use.
Blobson drowned his words with his
demands for louder speech.
"Ye irreverent mon!' MacAlister ex-
claimed angrily. Pm saying grace"
1t seemed as though all the deaf
tourists In Europe were destined to
meet at MacAlister's boarding house.
Sir Douglas McCracken. born deaf
and dumb, an old friend Of the domi-
ME. was expected TO visit Naples and
during his stay was to be member
Of the household Alice Harker. who
was used to talking with her mother
by the finger sign language. was asked
to assist in entertaining him. One
morning on coming in from sightsee-
ing she was told that Sir Douglas had
arrived. Entering the drawing room.
she saw man with a young face and
bald head reading guidebook.
Seeing a pretty girl. he rose deferen-
TALLY. She addressed him In the sign
language. and he replied in kind
Now. it happened that this meeting
involved case Of love at first sight.
For an hour the two piled their fin
gers in mutual entertainment, and
Miss Harker began to think how sim
gular 1t would be If she succeeded in
marrying her mother to the deaf Mr..
Blobson and she herself should marry
the deaf and dumb Sir Douglas. Pres
emily the dominic came in with man
as old as himself and introduced him
as the real, original and only Sir Doug
las McCracken.
And this gentleman Alice asked,
versing with
Hes Sir Douglas son. Angus"
"And I've been talking to the young
lady" said, Angus. ''supposing her to
be deaf mute"
There's nothing like sightseeing ex-
cursions for lovemaking. Angus Nc
Cracker and Alice Harker walked to-
gether on the hills overlooking Naples
and its picturesque bay. sailed to the
island Of Capri. spooned in its celebrat-
ed blue grotto and drove from Sorren-
to over the most beautiful drive in the
world to Amalf. Proposals often come
at opportune moments. and in this case
the declaration was made while the
two were looking down Into the crater
Of yesuvius. However. Alice was ready
for it, and while giving her reply she
was meditating upon a plan to bring
about the union Of her mother with
Mr.. Blobson.
She told Angus McCracken that
while her mother was on her hands
she could not marry, but she hoped TO
make a match for the old lady. after
which she would be pleased to become
his wife. Angus, realizing that his
happiness depended on the success Of
| the scheme, forthwith devoted himself
to Mr.. Blobson, sounding all the while
Mrs. Harkers praises and suggesting
what fine thing 1t would be for him
If he could secure her for a wife.
Blobson was finally convinced and told
Angus that he would propose. Angus
communicated the news to Alice.
Alice in turn confided it to her mother.
Angus McCracken and Alice Harker.
although they had plighted their troth
coughing up the fumes of volcano.
considered that romantic situation