The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-03-05
AFINE SIGN LANGUAGE
DroII Incident In the Reign Of
lanes |. of England.
A TRICK ON AN AMBASSADOR

The Different interpretations Of the
Same Acts Performed by croehety
spaniard and Hard Headed and
canny Old Scotch Butcher.
1t is said that King James l. on re-
/ moving to London was waited upon by
the Spanish ambassador, a man Of cru
dition, but who had a crochet in his
head that every country should have a
| professor of signs to teach him and the
like Of him to understand one another.
The ambassador was lamenting one
day before the king this great desider-
alum throughout all Europe, when the
king said to him: why, have a pro-
fessor OF signs in the northernmost col
lege in my dominions--viz, at Aber-
deen-but it Is great way of, perhaps
600 miles,"
Were 1t 10000 leagues OF / shall
see him." said the ambassador, "and
am determined to set out in two or
three days" The king saw he had com
mitted himself and wrote or caused to
be written. to the University OF Aber-
deem. stating the case and desiring the
professors to put him of some way or
make the best OF him. The ambassa-
dor arrived. was received with great
soIemnity. but soon began to inquire
which OF them had the honor to be pro-
fessor Of signs.
Being told that the professor was
absent in the highlands and would re-
turn nobody knew when. the ambas-
sador said. II will wait his return,
though 1t were twelve months
Seeing that this would not do and
that they had to entertain him at d
great expense all the while, they con-
triyed a stratagem. There was one
Geordy. a butcher, blind OF an eye. a
droll fellow. with much wit and rogu-
cry about him. He was got, instruct
ed to be professor OF signs, but not to
speak on pain OF death. Geordy cheer
fully undertook the role. The ambas-
sador was told that the professor Of
signs would be at home next day, at
which be rejoiced greatly.
Next day Geordy was gowned, wig
ged and placed in a chair Of state in
room In the college, all the profess
ors and the ambassador being in an
adjoining room. The ambassador was
shown into Geordy's room and left to
converse with him as well as he could.
the professors awaiting the issue with
fear and trembling.
The ambassador held up one Of his
fingers to Geordy; Geordy held up two
OF his. The ambassador held up three:
Geordy clinched his fist and looked
stern. The ambassador then took an
orange from his pocket and held 1t up; |
GeOrdy took piece Of barley cake
from his pocket and held that up.
After which the ambassador bowed to |
him and retired to the other professor.
who anxiously inquired his opinion
OF their brother.
HE is a perfect miracle" said the (
ambassador. Il would not give him
for the wealth OF the Indies"
Well said the professors. ito de-
scend to particulars"
Why" said the ambassador, Il first /
held up one finger. denoting that there |
Is one God; he held UP two, signifying /
that these are the Father ana Son. /
held UP three. meaning the Father. the I
Son and Holy Ghost; he clinehed his
fist. to say that these three ere one.
then took out an orange, Simplifying
the goodness Of God. who gives his crea- +
lures not only the necessaries. but the 1
Injuries. Of life, upon which the won
derful man presented a piece Of bread,
showing that it was the staff Of life 1
and preferable to every luxury"
The professors were glad that mat
ters had turned out SO we'll: so, having
got quit Of the ambassador. they next I
got Geordy TO hear bis version Of the
signs.
well, Geordy, how have You come
on and what do you think OF yon
man?"
eThe rascalv' says Geordy. What
did be do first think ye1 lie held UP i
one finger. as much as TO say, You
have only one eye. Then held up two
meaning that my one eye was perhaps
as good as both his. Then the fellow
held up three OF his fingers. TO say that
there were but three eyes between us. h
and then | was SO mad at the sconn-
drei that I stocked my neiye and was
to come a whack on tile side Of his \
head and would ha' done 1t, too but
for your sakes. Then the rascal did \
not stop with bis provocation here. but,
forsooth, takes out an orange, as much
as to say Your poor, beggarly, cold
country cannot produce that | show
ed him a whang of bear hammock.
that did ma care a farthlng
for him nor his trash neither as lang's
! ha' this But. by a that's guild, con
cluded Geordy, I'm angry vet that
didn't thrash the hide o the scoun-