Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1897 — Pathetic Incident. [ARTICLE]

Pathetic Incident.

An exchange prints a pretty and pathetic story said to have been related by Prof. Gallaudet, the well-known instructor of deaf mutes. The professor has a favorite pupil—a little deaf mute boy, exceptionally bright. Mr. Gallaudet asked him if he knew the story of George 'Washington and the cherry tree. With his nimble fingers the little one said he did, and proceeded to repeat it. The noiseless gesticulations continued until the boy had informed the professor of the elder Washington’s discovery of the mutilated tree and of his quest for tfie mutilator. “When George’s father asked him who hacked his favorite cherry tree,” signaled the voiceless child, “George put his hatchet in his left hand ” “Stop,” interrupted the professor. “Where do you get your authority for saying he took the hatchet in his left hand ?” “Why,” responded the boy. “he needed his right hand to tell his father that he cut the tree.”