The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-01-26
Telegraphic Ticks-An Amusing Epi.
SOde.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.

From the San Francisco Chronicle
Two young men, telegraph operators,
board at one of our leading third class
hotels, and being of somewhat hila-
rious disposition, find great amusement
in carrying on conversation with each
other at the table by ticking on their
plates with knife, fork, or spoon. For
the information ofthose not acquainted
with telegraphy, it may be well to state
that a combination Of sounds or ticks
constitute the Geographic alphabet, and
persons familiar with these sounds can
converse thereby as intelligently as with
spoken words. The young lightning
strikers, as already stated, were in the
habit Of indulging in table-talk by
this means whenever they desired to
say anything private to each other. For
instance, No. | would pick up his knife
and tick off some such remark as this
to No. ., 4" Why is this butter like the
offense Of Hamlets uncle ?" No. 2. ~
give it up" No. |. because it's
rank and smells to Heaven" OF course
the joke is not appreciated by the
landlord, who sits close by, because he
doesn't understand Geographic ticks,
and probably he wouldn't appreciate it
much if he did but the jokers enjoy
it immensely and laugh immoderately,
while the other guests wonder what can
be the occasion. for this merriment, and
naturally conclude the operators must
be idiots.
A few days ago, while these fun-loving
youths were seated at breakfast, a stout
built young man entered the dining
room with a handsome girl on his arm,
whose blushing couutenance showed
her to be a bride. The couple had. in
fact, been married but day or two pre-
vious and had come TO San Francisco
from their home in Oakland or Mud
Springs, or some other rural village, for
the purpose of spending the honey
moon. The Geographic tckers COM
menced as soon as the husband and wife
had seated themselves.
No. | opened the discourse as fol-
lows: What lovely l.ttle pigeon this
is alongside of me-ain't she ="
No. .. - Perfectly charmiuS-looksa rs
if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
Just married, | guess don't YOU think
so ?"
No. l. " Yes. should Judge she was.
What luscious lips shes got! Ii that
country pumpkin beside her WAS out of
the road, Id give her hug and a kiss
just for luck"
No. >. suppose you try il, anyhow.
Give her a little nudge under the table
with youS knee"
There is no telling 10 what extent the
impudent rascals might have gone but
for an amazing and entirely unforeseen
event. The bridegroom's face had
flushed and dark scowl was on his
brow during the progress of the ticking
conversation; but the operators were
too much occupied with each other 10
pay any attention 10 him. The reader
may form some idea of the young mems
CONSERVATION when the partner of the
lady picked up his knife and licked off
the following terse but vigorous mes.
sage:
This lady is my wife. and as soon As
she gets through with her breakfast |
propose to wiring both your necks-you
insolent whelps."
The countenances of the operators
fell very suddenly when this message
commenced. By the time il ended they
had lost all appetite and appreciation
of jokes, and slipped out OF the dining.
room in a very rapid and unceremo-
NOUS manner. Ii seems the bride
groom was a telegraph operator, and
knew how il was himself