Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-08-05
UNDERSTOOD SIGN LANGUAGE.


when learned the deaf-mute sign
language, few years ago" said d
young lawyer yesterday" it was for a
definite purpose, and Stree then, inc
leutaliy, it has furnished good deal
of amusement TO me. There are not
many deaf mutes in this city, and when,
IN coming down On an elevated train
this morning | discovered that the cross
seat opposite me was occupied by two
young women who were conyerslng in
sign language, my interest was at once
excited. They were neat locking girls,
aud as settled in my seat discovered
that they we're carrying on an ami
mated conversation on certain young
man whose merits and demerits they
were frankly discussing, never dream
ing that any one else in the car could
understand them. Suddenly one OF
them noticed that was looking intent.
y at them, and with her fingers she
said to the other girl:
"'Don't look up just now; but in the
seat across from you is young man on
whom you have made an impression
He isn't bad looking
81 glanced Idly out Of the window to
give the girl g chance TO inspect me.
and with difficulty Suppressed Il SMILE.
She looked me over critically, and then
with her fingers she said:
"'You saw him first. He is yours. l
don't like BLONDES myself
"'It was you at whom he was look
ing, came the reply.
No; ne was looking at you. don't
like mis- mustache. just look at him
now, conceited thing He is curling it,
az think his mustache is very nice,
said the first girl. 'Don't look in his
direction so frequently or he will sus-
pect u.s.
"'He looks too slow to suspect any,
thing. Besides, can see him by look
ing in the mirror, and he doesn't know
it. am going to size him up again now,'
and as she turned toward the mirror so
did I, aud l caught her glance square
in the eyes. The young woman flushed
bit and then pretended to be looking
out of the window. The giIl who ad-
mitted that | was not bad TO look at
nuiged her friend and with her nimble
fingers said:
'''His clothes fit him we'll, don't they? :?
Wouldn't be be angry if he knew that
we were talking about him. l think
hat he is nice
SIT was with difficulty that could
prevent myself from acknowledging
this compliment in sign language, but |
didn't Waut to spoil the fun. The secoLd
girl looked at me again by way Of the
mirror and then said:
"He is staring at us too much. Let's
look at his shoes and embarrsss him.
He will thiDk that there is something
wrong with them.
All right said my friend, and two
pairs of eyes were turned on my shoes,
which l knew were ali right Being
forewarned, was not embarrassed,
aud thrust my feet a little forward so
that they might be in full view.
"'It's no 60 said the second girl,
and in long experience it is the first
time that l ever failed ut this trick.
He does not even look down at bis
shoes. l Will bet that he is awfully
conceited.'
They KEEP up very free discussion
of my appearance, and when we reach
ed City Hall station l arose to go out
and they followed right behiud. The
car had been well filed and the girls
were in a hurry. l stepped to one side
and in sign language said to the one
right behind me:
"'Eycuse me, 1 am sorry to be in
your way
THAT girl read my hands in amaze
ment, and / would not have missed
the expression of her face as her eyes
met mine for anything. 1t was blu; b
to remember. Without explaining 10
the other gill, who was behind her,
she grabbed her arm and hustled her
about face and out Of the other door.
As ] reached the platform l saw the
girl whom l addressed explaining it to
the other girl, whose face indicated
that she was struggling between morti-
fication and mirth. Just as they turn
ed toward the bridge both OF them
looked back at me. smiled and rails
ed my hat. They laughed and on they
went. 1t was pleasant little enter
tainment for downtown trip n.
Y. Sun.
/