The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-12-05
PEPPERl
A CALIFORNIAN Story OF TKLEGRAPu
OPERATOR

The following story originated, we be-
lieve, with the San Francisco Post W.
give it in the words of the CALIFORNIA;
writer:
MANY amusing stories have been told
of the festive freaks of telegraph opera
ators who, whenever aft rded 40 opporta
nifty for the display of their penchant for
good joke, rarely fail to improve it.
Almost everybody has heard of the opsr
ator in an eastern city, who,on hot sum
mer day, desiring to borrow y chew Of to
bacco from one of his fellows ia the sam
room, instead of making known his zee
quest by words of mouth, chose what be
deemed tho least exhausting measure 81
inditiDg dispatch, which travelling over
circuit of upwards 0 thousand m,!ss,
| in about two minutes reached the identI-
cal Office whence it started, much to the
surpr Sc of the other chap, " no bIandIy
sind bis tobacco b3x at the head of tn
irrepressible jnkist.
at often happens that telegraphers are
called into service at the representation
If sage play. IN which occurs what 10
known an telegraph scene," auch vs.
the one shown in Byren's Across the
Continent, "or Boucicault's Long Strike"
and i is then that the operator behind
the scenes manages to aMuse himself by
stalking" to the "fraternlty" in the audi
ence, unknown Of course to most of those
present, who find no meaning IL the
"click" of the instrument.
AS "a evidence that the speraters of
our city are not behlndhand in the matter
If having their fun, the following is re-
lated of Jim - well-known attache
Of the Western Union:
During the theatrical season of last
year, the drama of "The Long Strike"
was produced at one Of our theatres, and
tor the manipulation of the telegraph in
strumpnt, which plays an important part
in the most important act of tho play,J IA
was engaged.
His position was such that he could see
the audience without being seen, aud
when, upon taking his position, discover
ing in the auditorium a brother operator
tr"m Memphis, by name Pepper-who haI
It A. \ 4
to have little sport on his own accocat.
"Accnriingly, when the time came tor
the sending OF the first despatch. jim
loud y sounded ON his machine the words,
How are you Pepprr?'
The quick professional ear of Pepper
caught tue words instantly, and w"nde'-
ing 'wh0 the deuce it was,' straightened,
up and stared at the stage az II he would
have given two liars ard half To
know something more.
"'Pepper, how's your m"therr came
from the instrument, and Pepper. thor
oughly myslified, turned confidently to
his far partner express his utter aston
lshment at the most singular clrcum-
stance.
LAS luck would have it, the auditorium
held quite delegation of telegraphe q,
who by this time saw that ] IN vac up 10
one of his old tricks, and with ne accord
they began t. look about the theatre TO
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
message.
"That won't do. old Pepper, know
you well.and you hadn't better be fooIing
that confding creature with any soft non-
sense"
This reused the telegraph boys to the
very pitch Of curiosity, and many OF
them stood up, grz ne longingly about
AS if tneir only object in lite was to dis
cover Pepper.
Pepper felt that they knew him, and
he confusion which had been gradually
covering his handsome features, grew int.
nortlfca ion when h. saw so many eyes
evidently leveled at him, d at last cul-
minated IN his withdrawal from the H. a.
tre But Jim was bound to give him
parino hot, and as he faded from view
he heard borne to his ears: Go I'd by Pep
per. "Put your trust in Providence but
keep your powder dry"
Those who appreciated the affair were
much amused, and SO, indeed, was the
victim blmself, when, ON the following
day, he learned who had SO neatly cap
h,Y, ~