Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-02-03
TELEGRAPHIC TICKS.
An Amusing Episode at O Hotel
FWIHN #s Break fact Table.

n
FVlNFs' Break fast Table.
From the San francisco Chronicle.l
Two young men, telegraph operators,
board at one of our leading third-class
hotels, and being of a somewhat hilari-
GUS 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 in
formation of those not acquainted with
telegraphy, it may be well to state that
a combination of sounds or ticks consti-
tute the telegraphic alphabet, and per-
sons familiar with these sounds can con-
verse 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. 2: why is this butter like
the offense of Hamlet's uncle2" No.
2-"I give it up" No. l." 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 telegraphic ticks,
and probably he wouldn't appreciate it
much if he did; but the jekers enjoy it
impensely 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 laAAk. y ~ at s
A few days ago, while the fun-loving
youths were seated at breakfast, stout
built young man entered the dining
room with handsome glrl on his arm,
whose blushing countenance showed her
to be bride. The couple had, in fact,
been married but day or two previous
and had come to San Francisco from
their home in Oakland, or Mud Springs,
or some other rural village for the pur-
pose of spending the honeymoon. The
telegraphic tickers commenced as soon
as the husband and wife had seated them
selves
No. ] opened the discourse as follows:
What a lovely little pigeon this is
alongside of me-ain't she2 " 81
No. ." Perfectly charming-looks as
if butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
Jsst married, ! guess don't you think
so2'' .
No. l-"Yes, / should judge she was.
What luscious lips she's got If that
country pumpkin beside her was out of
the road, ia give her a hug and kiss
Just for luck.
No. -" Suppose you try it anyhow.
Give her little nudge under the table
ith your knee.
~, here is no telling to what extent the
Il 'ent rascals might have gone but
mpnn 1azing and entirely unforeseen
or an a. ne bridegroom's face had
vent a dark scowl was on his
lushea ana progress of the ticking
row during tnS the operators were too
much occupied with The reader may
my attention to him. No mems con-
orm some idea Of the you. ar of the
formation when the partn. ;cked off
ady picked up his knife and l. mes
be following terse but vigorous
age: 81 as
This Ia, iy is my wife, and as soon y y
he gets th rough with her breakfast l
ropose to wiring both your necks-you
nsolent W helps"
The co 1ntenances of the operators
III very suddsuly when this message
ommene ed. By the time it ended they
ad lost all appetite and appreciation OF
okes, a. ad slip ped out Of the dining-room
q ery rapid and uneeremonious
lnnnei X see ms that the bridegroom
as a ,telegrapli operator, and knew
ow it was himse #,