The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-11

ceiving him, and to endeavor to &c
rid of him as soon as possible
| The ana bassador was received with
Igreat solemnity at the university;
but he cared for nothing except tC
Isee the professor of signs, whom he
looked for with great Impotence. They
told him that for the moment that
gentleman was absent, that he was
Touring in the highlands among the
mountains of Scotland for the purpose
LOT exercising his art up there, and
THAT no one knew when he would re-
turn. .tA
nIn that case responded the am
/ bassador, Il am willing to stay here.
Ieven if he is absent whole year"
| Seeing that this evasion was unsuc-
cessful, and that they would have his
Excellency on their hands for a long
time, the professors resolved to try
Janother means of freeing themselves
Ifrom their embarrassment.
| There was in the city a one-eyed
butcher named Geordi, who was noted
for his wit and for his ability to play
different roles. 1t was resolved to ap-
point him professor of signs. He con-
sented to the appointment; the proper
instruction was given to him; he
promised to observe the most pro-
| found silence, and to express himself
| by nothing but signs.
The ambassador Informed that the
professor had returned from his trip
| to the highlands, was pleased beyond
measure; the meeting place was APP
pointed; and Geordi, dressed in a doc
| toral robe with a grand peruke en-
phasizing the severity of his dignity,
was seated with all becoming pro-
priety in chair in one of the halls OF
the Academy, His EXcellency was es-
cOrted in. They told the Spaniard
to entertain himself as best he could
by converslng with the accomplished
man whom they presented to him, and
the professors all met together in
lneighboring room awaiting with some
uneasiness the result of the interview.
The ambassador approached Geordi,
and raised up one of his fingers; at
this gesture Geordi stuck up two of
his; the ambassador then held up
three of his fingers: and Geordi
doubled up his fist in a threatening
attitude. The ambassador drew an
orange out of his pocket and held it
up; Geordi in turn drew out from
under his robe a large piece of oat
bread. The ambassador appeared
well satisfied, and made profound
bow, and withdrew.
The professors, curious TO learn how
their onc-eyed brother had acquitted
himself, questioned His Excellency.
"Ah! he is an admirable man. re-
piled he; che is worth all the treas
ures of India. At first l showed him
one finger, wishing to signify by that
that there is but one God. He showed
me two, signifying that there are the
Father and Son. / raised uD three to
represent the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit; and he closed his fist 10
signify that these three are one. Then
| produced an orange to indicate the
Il. FtNl1TA A.Nf
only every thing necessary to support
life, but likewise the pleasures and
comforts which embellish existence.
Then this wonderful man brought out
a piece of bread. signifying that that
is the essential thing, a blessing pref
cradle TO all the things sought for by
luxury and vanity
The professors. We're delighted that
the affair had turned out so we'll;
and, after having taken leave of the
ambassador, they applied to Geordi to
learn how he had understood the in
terview. They found him very angry.
'Y our ambasSa dor is an insolent fell
low" said he; lat first he showed me
enc finger TO reproach me because |
have but, one eye. Then 1 showed him
my two fingers to have him under
stan that my one eye is worth both
of his. WhereuDon he raised up
three fingers to tell me that both of
us haven't but three eyes, Irritated
by this impertfnence, l put my fist
under his nose; and, but my consider
alton for you, I would have proved to
him the Scotch vigor of my arm. But
this impertinent fellow didn't stop
there: he very soon drew an orange
out of his pocket, and showed it to me-
as much as to say: Your Wretched
and cold country can produce nothing
like this; but / in turn showed him
a good Scotch cake to prove to him
that care very little for his delicac4es.
| was going to, throw it in his face.
when he chose the wise course of
makng me a bow and retiring. 1t
was time; for l was beginning to get
hot under my collar. But | shall
always regret that / did not give him
a shaking before he left, to punish
him for his offensive gestures