The Portland daily press., 1872-11-21
Pepper!
A CALIFORNIAN STORY OF TELEGRAPH
OPERATOR.

The following story originated, we believe,
with the San Francisco Post. We give it in
the words of the Californian writer:
Many amusing stories have been told of the
festive freaks Of telegraph operators who,
whenever afforded an opportunity fer the dis
play of their penchant for good joke, rarely
fail to improve it. Almost everybody has
heard of the operator in an eastern city, who,
on a hot summer daV, desrinr to borrow a
chew of tobacco from one of his fellows in the
same room. instead of making known his re-
quest by words of mouth, chose what he
deemed the least exhaisting measure ofindit-
ing despatch, which, travelling over cir
cult of upwards of a thousand miles, in about
two minutes reached the identical Office
whence it started, much to the surprise of the
other chap, who blandly SHED his tobacco
box at the head of the irrepressible jokist.
1t often happens that telegraphers are call
ed into service at the representation of a stage
play, in which occurs what is known as a
telegraph scene'' such as the one shown in
Byron's "Across the Continent" or Bouci-
cault's ''Long Strike,' and it is then that
the operator behind the scenes manages to
amuse himselfb by ''talking'' to the ''fraterni-
ty' in the audience, unknown of course to
most of those present, who find no meaning
in the "click' of the instrument.
As an evidence that the operators of our
city are not behind hand in the matter of hav-
ing their fun, the following is related of Jim
=, well-know attache of the Western
Union:
During the theatrical season of last year,
the drama of ''The Long Strike'' was produc-
ed at one of our theatres, and for the manipu-
lation of the telegraph instrument, which
PLAYS an important part IN the most impor-
tant act of the play. Jim was engaged.
His position was such that he could see the
audience without being seen, and when, up
on taking his position, discovering in the au-
ditorium a brother operator tlom Memphis,
by name Pepper-who had that day arrived
in town-he determined to have little sport
on his own account.
Accordingly when the time came for the
sending Of the first dispatch, Jim loudly
sounded on his machine the words, GLOW
are you, Pepper"
The quick, professional ear of Pepper
caught the words instantly, and wondering
''who the deuce it was,' Strengthened up and
stared at the stage as if he would have given
two dollars and a half to know something
more.
''PepDer, how's your mother? came from
the instrument, and Pepper, thoroughly mys-
titled, turned confidently to his fair partner
to express his utter astonishment at the most
singular circumstance.
AS luck WOulu nave IL, the duuiIoiiuiu uciu
quite delegation OF telegraphers, who by
this time saw that Jim was up 10 one of his
old tricks, and with one accord they began to
look abeut the theatre for pepper
''Jim saw the effect of his experiment, and
enjoyed himself hugely
Pepper hadn't got through telling his girl
all about it when there came another mes
sage.
E'That won't do, old Pepper, l know you
well, and you hadn't better be fooling hat
| confiding creature with any soft nonsense"
This reused the telegraph boys to the very
pitch of curiosity, and many OF them stood
up, gazing longngly about them as if their
only object in life was to discover Pepper.
| Pepper felt that they knew him, and the
| confusion which had been gradually covering
his handsome features, grew into mortihca-
! tion when he saw so many eyes evidently
leveed at him, and at last eliminated in his
| withdrawal from the theatre. But Jim was
bound to give him parting shot, and as he
| faded from view he heard borne to his ears !:
| ''Good bye, Pepper. Put your trust in Prov
idence, but keep your powder dry"
Those who appreciated the affair were
much amused, and so, indeed, was the vic
tim himself, when, on the following day, he
learned who had SO neatly captured him."