The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-25
DEAF-MUTES IN A LAWSUIT.
Annie Asks $4,000 Damages From
Jacob For Breach of Promise.
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
AS it appears on the supreme court cal
endar, the bald title "Berliner VS.. Schar-
lin, lis more communicative than the prin-
cpals in the case, pretty Annie Berliner
and Jacob Scharlin, in the ordinary meth
cd of vocal conversation. Both are deaf
mutes, but Annie says this fact did not
prevent Jacob from wooing her and plight
ing an unspoken troth, which he has re-
fused to keep thereby damaging her to
the amount of $4,000. The suit was on the
calendar for yesterday but neither party
was in court, and by stipulation it was
postponed.
Annie is possessed of all the attractions
of her eighteen years. Being in the eyes
of the law an infant" James E. Ramsey,
her guardian, brings the action in her in
terest. Jacob Seharlin is a few years old
err than Annie, and is the son of the
wealthy head Of the firm of Scharlin &
Sons, snuff manufacturers of 10 Division
street.
Jacob can only, communicate his thoughts
to the world by digital signs, although by
dint of much practice-he can comfort his
fingers more rapidly than the tines of an
overworked hay tedder. Annie's ruby lips
are her implements of conversation, and,
although no sounds come from them, an
expert may readily understand their move
ments and interpret them into ineligible
language. But Jacob could not translate.
He admired Annie's blooming lips when
he first saw her, but their transitions car
ried no meaning to him. This was the
turning of the tide of his affections.
In the papers setting forth her case An
mic made a
agreement to marry on Feb. 2 1896, and
the date of the wedding was fixed in the
first week of April of the same year. She
does not explain how she comprehended
Jacobs semaphoric signals in this in
stance nor whether Jacobs attention to
the Voiceless movements of her lips was
due to any understanding of the sense of
her remarks. Jacob, in his answer, in
forms the court that by reason of his in
trinity he has been dependent on his par
ents for support and guidance, and that
when they indicated to him that matri-
mony was the proper thing for one of his
age he acquiesced.
Through the offices of Herman Hanna
man, a shatchen of Delaney street, a
meeting was appointed between Jacob and
Annie The engagement party was ar
ranged to take place at the Scharlin resi-
dence and Jacob alleges that his own par
ents gave Annie a gown that she might
appear to better advantage before him.
Jacob was not recalcitrant at first, if Abb
raham Levy, his counsel in the suit, Is
well informed. Annie attracted him, and
the acquaintance seemed to prosper until
Jacob in some manner known only to low
ers asked for a kiss. Annie was too cold,
and denied her silent lips to her wooer.
After that they met several times, but
Jacob would not continue his counting,
although his parents urged him strongly
to do So In Difference to his parents
commands, Jacob took Annie to a deaf
mute ball Feb. p last year, and there An
MES fate was settled. For certain mute
gentlemen were introduced to her ana
twinkled their fingers so gracefully that
Annie forgot her prediction for Jacob
and danced with them several times. ia
cob did a finger schottischo of remon-
STRANGE but Annie wrinkled her lips to
signify that there were other shoestrings
in the basket.
This was the end. Jacob fortified him
self on the ground that Annie would not
learn his method of talking. His an
swer says his opposition and refusal were
well known to his parents. Annie had re-
fused to learn another method of talking,
and Jacob completes his answer by say
ing that communication between them was
difficult, causing him annoyance, msun-
Outstanding and embarrassment Annie
waited long months hoping that Jacob
would repent but finding him firm, she
began the present suit Jacob twirls his
finger TIPS to Indicate that the gown she
received for the engagement party was
sufficient indemnity for her disappoint-
ment in love.