Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1883 — Trying to “Mash” a Deaf Mute. [ARTICLE]

Trying to “Mash” a Deaf Mute.

The train sped over the track at the rate of forty miles an hour, but somehow each hour had sixty minutes ip it, just as usual, and time hung heavy on his soul. He was a Harvard student bound for Boston on the Old Colony railroad. Presently, at one of the waystations, a pretty young lady entered the car and sat down near the delighted student. Instantly he was wide awake, and devoted all his energies to engaging the admiring attention of the fair one. First he pushed the blind up and down noisily in order to attract her attention. Thinking he- had secured this; he opened a morning paper, and, reclining gracefully, pretended to read. In reality he stared steadily at his charmer, and whenever she chanced to raise her eyes she found the student looking at her. Their eyes met; he poured his whole soul into one bewildering, captivating glance; she blushed slightly and turned nervously, in her seat, but in that delicious instant when he gazed into the limpid depths of her blue eyes he fancied he saw there the reciprocation of his own interest. With increasing confidence his attitude became more imposing and beautiful, and when the train reached Boston he considered his conquest assured. But in the meantime? the carfull had “caughfon” td the student’s scheme, anii one of the passengers who knew th 6 ydung lady passed around the word that fun was coming. So when the party stepped on the platform the student proceeded in the presence of a large and interesting audience. StepEing elegantly up to the pretty girl, e said briskly: “I beg your pardon, but I am sure we must have met before. Did I not have the pleasure of seeing you at Judge Smith’s reception last week? May I assist you with the bundle ? Fine day, is it not?” But the maiden walked demurely on, never so much as blushing or turning her head. Taken somewhat by surprise, the would-be masher hesitated, stammered, but continued: “I thought possibly you might remember my face; lam sure I have seen you before. We had a very enjoyable time at the ball last eve, didn’t we?” As the same result was experienced from this attempt, he boldly stepped in front of her and, raising his hat, began: “I beg your pardon, Miss—’’but he stopped suddenly; she was looking pityingly at him and making signs to him in the deaf and dumb alphabet. “Oh, holy cuspidof! if that isn’t another piece of Harvard luck!” he gasped, and bolted for a horse-car. The story leaked out, and now you can tell that student by the appearance of suppressed profanity that steals over his face when any one happens to twist his fingers or move his hand in an unusual way.