SIGN LANGUAGE IN KANSAS.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12730, 28 February 1910, Page 1

SIGN LANGUAGE IN KANSAS.

It seems that after all the much-ad-vertised legislation it is not yet necessary for parched souls in Kansas to slake their thirst with ice-water. The law, indeed, appears to be ono of those through which the intelligent inebriate can drive a coach and tour without much difficulty. The sign language has been brought to a remarkable state of perfection in the State and a gesticulating stranger has to be very careful lest a sympathetic porter should regard him as-•'wig-wagging" for a drink. In the drug stoics too, the visitor must bo wary. One casual stranger whose ear tickled rubbed it, and instantly had a whisky and soda set before him. Thero die many other familiar signals of distress. Two fingers held up means a ■bottle of beer ; the left arm extended, a whisky ; a finger in the car, whisky and soda; pulling tho lobe of the right ear, a gin cocktail ; a finger on the tip of the nose, a Manhattan cocktail; and shaking hands with yourself, champagne. The Kansas hotel portetsi are/ said to ha)ve 'become embararssingly accurate with this new sign language. An old Methodist preacher, who had a habit of clasping his fingers and twirling his thumbs, was supposed by one of them to bo signalling a dry mouth. . "I'll leave it in your room," whispered tfco porter ; and before tho patriarch con l>. l protest he was gone, to return a few minutes later with two pints of beer and a demand for seventy-five cents aa a "conveyancing fee."