The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-12-14
A SIGN LANGUAGE.
How 1t Might Easily BE Differently Inter
preted by Different Persons.


preted by Different Persons.
| In the reign of James VI of Scotland the
! Spanish ambassador, man of great learn
/ ing had the idea that In every university
there should be IA professor of signs, whose
| duty should be to make men of various
countries understand each other by signs,
\ thus doing away with the tedious and la
borious process of learning different Ian
guages. The ambassador was one day la
menting to the king this deficiency In our
university education when he, for Joke,
said that this important branch Of educa-
tlon was not neglected In Scotland; that
Aberdeen had such professor. The
Spaniard at once declared that he would
20 and see him. The king was unable to
dissuadc him, and finding himself in an
awkward position wrote to the university
and desired its professors to make the best
OF the affair in some way.
Scarcely had the letter announcing the
ambassadors expected arrival reached Alb
erdccn when the ambassador himself ap-
pcared. The professors had not had time
TO concoct any plan and were at their wits
end. One of them CHANGED to recount their
dilemma to the butcher, wagRish fellow,
blind In one eye and quick at repartee.
why, that's easy eneuch, " said he. II
could DO 1t mescl', since 'tis but to keep
stlll ana max signs.
Well 1t came about that the butcher
was installed at the university as professor
of signs, dressed In IA professional robe and
n flowing wig. The ambassador was pre-
sentod to him. lie took n survey Of the
butchers face and then produced an or
ange from his pocket.
Nothing daunted, the butcher thrust his
hand into his coat pocket and produced a
piece of oaten cake which he showed to
the surprised Spaniard. The ambassador
then held up one finger. The professor
of signs" held up two, whereupon the en-
bassador held up three, on which the
butcher clinchcd his hand and held 1t
sternly in the air.
On seeing this the ambassador smiled in
most gratified manner bowed profound
ly and left the presence of the pretended
professor.
The Spaniard reported to the professors,
who were anxiously awaiting him, that
the professor Of signs was miracle and
well worth coming 600 miles to see Said
he: II drew from my pocket an orange,
signifying the richness of the country
from which l came He showed Inc piece
Of oaten cake, indicating that his country
produced the staff OF life. then held up
one finger, meaning that there was but
one God. He held up two, showing that
tnere Were TWO persons III tne GOunehu. 1
held up three TO show there were three in
the Godhead. He clinched his hand to
show that the three were one. -
The butchers version Of the interview
was this:
Tho scaInpl What do ye think did he
deei He stared me out o. countenance
first, after which piece o. impudence he
pulled from HIS pouch an orange, as II to
say, Your poor country Gamma produce
thatp showed my hand into my pouch
and pulled out IA whang o oaten cake,
DARN him to show anything like that.
Then what did the insultin rascal deei He
held up aye finger meanin that had but
aye e'e. held up twa TO tell him he had
only twa. He held up three to show that
we had but three between us. l then
clinched my hand and was in sic rage ut
the stupid man that gin he hadna game
DOT o. the room pretty quick wod hae
knocked out bath his blinkers. Youth q
Companion.