The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-02-28

"I am ready to oblige at any moment
the present none the less" said he.
"Well, then" said I, 81 would like
to have you sleep in the Office all night,
and guard against burglars You can
sleep on the couch, and keep the fire
burning so you will be warm and comfort
able OF course shall pay you extra for
the trouble"
"Itwill be happiness to do So" said
Cannot, somewhat eagerly l afterwards
thought " care not for extra pay"
am sorry to have to cause you so
much trouble and inconvenience" said l
gratfed at the readiness with which he
acquiesed, " and hope it will not often
occur. BY the way, Gamnett," | added
putting on my over coat, " | shall not be
back at the office tonight, for | am going
to the city on the five o'clock train. You
and Wilson see to things while | am
gone-though l shall probably return to-
morrow. Goodnight"
Goodnight, Mr.. Parker You can
depend upon my faithfully carrying out
your directions"
The unusual cordiality with which
he spoke, combined with the fact that he
made use of my name for the first time
Of my remembrance, occasioncd me
some surprise however, l soon left him
at the desk, and wrapping my overcoat
closely around me, went out into the cold
wintry air, and wended my way home
ward.
After partaking Of hearty meal l
proceeded to the depot, and took the five
o'clock train for the city, at which l ar
rived two hours later,
In my younger days had been en-
ployed in telegraph office, and had be-
come competent operator, though for
various reasons did not like the bust
ness, and after having worked at it for
few years, resigned my position to en-
gage in something more congenial to my
taste Among the many acquaintances |
had formed at that time was that Of a
young fellow by the name Of Taylor, who
was also an operator, and, at the time OF
which write was employed by the telc-
graph company in their downtown Office,
where for old acquaintance sake, | called
without delay and found him seated by his
instrument engaged in the persual of the
evening papers, with his feet comfortably
resting on the top of an adjoining chair.
"Taylor, said |, advancing toward him,
" how are your
Halloo, Parker, is that you!" he ex,
claimed, rising from his seat. "Give us
your fin, old fellow and how goes t"
First rate" | replied shaking hands
" you still keep at the old trade, l see"
eyes, and probably always shall. Here
is the paper sit down and be comforta-
BILE. I've got to receive this message
that's coming. No peace for the wick
ed" and certainly not for telegraph oper-
ators"
/ took the seat he offered, and spread
ing the paper out before me, began tc
read-my friend in the meantime taking
down the dispatch and otherwise busying
himself about the instrument, which hac
commenced clicking in very lively and
animated manner.
"It's from your place" he said, pre-
sently,
"is itY said l folding the paper tc
get at the inside.
It's in cipher too," he added, soon
!, afterward
From my place and in cipher"
repeated, throwing aside the paper
Who is it from p
Haven't come to that yet"
| had become strangely interested,
t scarcely knew why, and waited patiently
for the complete transmission Of the mes
sage.
The instrument went on clicking, at
great rate, and presently Taylor began t.
) spell aloud, as fast as it came over the
= wires, the name appended to the dis
patch
) "G-a-m-n-e-t-t. Gamnett,
said he.
"Gamnett !" l exclaimed starting up
Why, he's my clerk Taylor let nj
see that dispatch"
Although the proceedings were some
what irregular 1t not being usual fo
telegraph officials to allow third parties t,
become acquainted with the contents o
other peoples messages,-my friend, un
der the present circumstances--whicl
were considered partial justification 70
the act, handed me the paper on which
he had transcribed the message, an,
glancing over it eagerly saw what fol
lows
"To VIM. Jackson. ll9 Coppic
street:
1O-4-23-16-16 4-7.24 9-14-21-22-7 6-6-14-23-G
1S-21-10-4-16-9-14-17-15-1 5-16-23-3-72 g