A few years since an aged man, who had long been a sincere and devoted christian, was placed in the same ward in the Infirmary of N----with a deaf and dumb youth. The former received and enjoyed the visits of the chaplain, whilst the latter was considered inaccessible to instruction. An arrangement was at length made for the good old man to partake of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, when he made, as it appeared to the chaplain and matron, the singular request that the young mute might partake of it with him. A secret was then divulged which had been known only to the two patients themselves. Having spent a long period of time together, the old man had improved the opportunity thus afforded to effect intercourse with the youth by signs, and had been enabled, by the Divine blessing, to convey to him a knowledge of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. There appeared every reason to believe that the poor fellow possessed an enlightened understanding and a renewed mind, and he was allowed to participate in the desired privilege.
Shortly after this the old man died, and when the youth was made sensible of the event, his countenance brightened with joy; he waved his hand and pointed up to the sky to intimate that he was gone into heaven. After a time the mute followed his kind friend and instructor. When he felt himself dying, he first put his fingers in his ears and took them out again, to show that his ears would be unstopped; he then put out his tongue and pointed to heaven, to show that that would be unloosed.
These facts were communicated to a friend by the matron of the Infirmary--herself an eminent christian, who has since died, and who did not doubt that the youth had obtained a correct and experimental knowledge of the gospel of salvation.
A DEAF AND DUMB MAN IN THE REVISION COURT.
On Thursday afternoon a singular scene was witnessed during the proceedings of the Revision Court, at Ashton-under-Lyne. A man named James Booth, of 3, Dog Dungeon, Hurst polling district, was objected to by the Conservatives, and Mr. Booth, their solicitor, announced that the man was deaf and dumb, but just able to utter a monosyllable now and then. Mr. Chorlton, the Liberal solicitor: What can I do (laughter)? Mr. Booth first by writing asked what the man's name was, and then began to talk to him with his fingers, but being an indifferent chirologist he made very poor progress. He had merely elicited that the man was the owner when Mr. Chorlton began to grow impatient, and inquired, Why don't they both go to the Isle of Man for a week (laughter)? Nothing more could be got out of the man except a "yes" or "no" after questions had been patiently propounded by Mr. Booth in the dactyologic alphabet. At length the Barrister spied a rent book, and this was pounced upon and the vote allowed very joyfully, to save further trouble. The dumb man then spake, stuttering, and with great effort, I claim my expenses. Mr. Chorlton: He's got those words all right, at any rate (laughter.) Mr. Booth: He can talk a little but hear nothing. Recourse was again had by Mr. Booth to his digits, and he interpreted to the court that the man was a hat body maker, and wanted 5s. 6d. The Barrister: I will allow 5s. The money was handed to the man, and he went away smiling.--_Newcastle Journal._