Feats of Dumbness

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 38, 7 May 1927, Page 21 (Supplement)

Feats of Dumbness

k LTHOUGH they have been working together on the same London ** tramcar for 14 years, a driver and a conductor are reputed never to exchange a word. The 1 reason for their extraordinary sulk remains a mystery. This prolonged sitence is beaten by the record of a married couple who found themselves entirely unsuited to each other. For 20 years they did not exchange a word, except when it was » matter of life or death. They reared i family of 10 children, and then the wife sought and obtained her freedom in the French courts.

A curious domestic story was related by a North-Country bankrupt during his examination. He said that for two and a-half years he and his wife had not exchanged a word. They hved in the same house, but each cooked bis or her own meals. So complete was the veil of silence between them that, although the hus band knew his wife had a small business somewhere, he had no idea of its nature.

Many stories of silent couples are related in the courts when the parties concerned apply for separation. Usua children are employed to ia ny messages from one parent to the other.

Apart from domestic unhappiness nme leads to the greatest number of of voluntary dumbness. A burgr ol f some time ago persistently dumb in the dock. As he . make no reply to questions, a Ho ury **ad to b e empanelled to c .. e whether he was “mute of a ice or by th e visitation of God.” fUn Ver<^ ct was * ie was merely dumbness. His trial was then w , before another jury and he 3 sent to prison for burglary, beroi * east ODe man saved his life by Am Is . lent muteness. He was an haro^ an pandit sentenced to be on * or . P ar t he took in a mutiny and murder. While sceav executi °n, he refused to and h • ~ ry e ® ort to trap him failed * e Was temporarily reprieved and wan ° an asylum tor observation. He Tired t 6r cau^ht talking, and surutt»rJ 0r 15 years - knowing that if he life Q 3 word h e would endanger his

DJiior l ent ® art " as il<l °Pted by anhew Pr ' soner w >fh a different end in his ,ki. ■ e was a sailor who deserted a 5 p 111 Portugal, and was arrested •he nni^ 31 !.*' ' n 'he hands of silen, . IC6 i. ae maintained a persistent v ?a i ed , ° u Eh his identity was reH e reeoi j 6 pa P ers ho was carrying, refns.j ,' ed a sentence and still 0® ed to speak. prison P he was sent i'-V the ■hat v . ernor to his consul, but as him Clal c °uld do nothing with Orison S -rv Dt sailor was sent back to years ni-ii ere *' e s tayed for three doctor, v mair, taining silence. The and set aH 6 * h<? was on ly feigning, him speaif mann er of traps to make c 'ded thet Prison authorities de--50 they lla !? * lac * en ongh of che man. !li, s to hi* to the gates and told !ia &uawe L°, ff He Pieaded in dumb *as avowed to remain, and Wson . 3d ®‘ tted - He remained in 0t his inactiv r i f °. Ur years - ‘hen tired J3, istant , e . °t and took a job as nt cook in the prison kitchen.