The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-02-01
TELEGRAPHIC TRICKS.
y AMUSING EPISODE AT HOTEL BREAKFAST TABLE

AN AMUSING EPISODE AT HOTEL BREAKFAST TABLE
Two young men, telegraph operators
board at one of our leading third-class
hotels, and being of somewhat hilari
Gus disposition, find great amusement
in carrying on conversation with each
other at the table by ticking on their
plate with knife, fork or spoon. Fol
the information of those not familiar
with telegraphy it may be well to state
that combination OF sounds or ticks
constitute the telegraphic alphabet, and
persons familiar with these sounds can
converse thereby as intelligibly 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. l 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 uncle?"
No. 81 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 tele-
graphic tricks, 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 of so
much merriment, and naturally conclude
that the operators must be- idiots.
A few days ago, while these fun-lov-
ing youths were seated at breakfast, Il
stout-built young man entered the din
ing room with handsome girl on his
arm, whose timid 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 purpose of spending the
honeymoon. The Geographic tickers
commenced as soon as the husband and
wife had seated themselves.
No. opened the discourse as follows:
what lovely little pigeon this is
alongside of me-ain't she!'
No. 2-"Perfectly charming-looks
as 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 she's got! If that
pumpkin beside her was ont off
the road, I'd give her hug and kiss
Just for luck"
No. 2-"Suppose You try it, anyhow.
Give her little nudge under the table
with your knee"
There is no telling to what extent
he impudent rascals might have gone
)ut for an amazing and entirely unfor-
seen event. The bridcgroon's face had
lushcd and n dark scowl was on his
brow during the progress Of the tick
ny conversation; but the operators
we're too much occupied with each other
o pay any attention to him. The reader
nay form some idea of the young mems
CONSERVATION when the partner of the
ady picked up has knife and licked off
he following terse but vigorous mes
sage:
This lady is my wife, and as soon as
the gets through with her breakfast, |
propose to wiring your necks-you in
'olent whelps."
The countenances of the operators
ell very suddenly when this message
commenced. By the time it ended they
lad lost all appetite and appreciation
# jokes, and slipped out of the dining
DOM in a very rapid and unceremoni-
us manner The bridegroom, it seems,
vas telegraph operator, and "knew
low it was himself."-S. F. Chronicle.