The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1873-01-02
PEPPER.
, CALIFORNIA STORY oF rELRGRArH
orERAroR

=
orgRAroR,
The following story originated, we be.
lieyc, with the san Francisco Post. We
give il 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
for the display of their penchant for
good joke, rarely fall to improve il. Al.
most everybody has heard of the opera.
Tor in an eastern city, wko on hot SUM
mer day, desiring to borrow a chew Of to-
baeco from one Of his fellows IN the same
room, instead of making known his 70.
gust by words of mouth, chose what he
deemed the least eYhaustng measure of
inditng a despatch, which, travelling
over a circuit Of upwards Of thousand
miles, In about two minutes reached the
identical office whence il started, much 20
the surprise OF the other chap, who bland
ly SHE'D bis tobacco box al the head ofthe
Iirrepressible iokist
II often happens that teegraphers are
called into service at the representation Of
stage play, in which occurs what is
known as telegraph sceue," such as
the ono shown In Byron's "Across tho
| Continent, or Rnnrioanlrs ssLong
stike,p and II Ia then that the operator
behind the soctes manages TO amuse him
self by talking" to the "irsternity' In
the audience, unknown OF course TO most
of those present, who find no meaning In
the "cickp Of the instrument.
AS an evidence that the operators OF
our city are not behindhand In the matter
Of having their fun, the following related
Of Jim ---, we'll known attache OF
the Western Union:
! Duling the theatricle season Of last
year, the drama Of "The Long Strike"
was produced at one Of our theatres, and
for the manipulation Of the telegraph
instrument, which plays an important
part in the most important act Of the play
Jim was engaged.
His position was such that he could sec
the audience without being seen, and
when, upon taking his position, discover.
/ Ing IN the auditorium brother operator
from Memphis, by name Pepper who
had that day arrived In town-~he deter.
mined to have little sport on his own
account.
Accordingly when the time camo for
the sending Of the first despatch, Jim
loudly sounded on his machine The words.
How are you Pepper?
The quick professional ear Of Pepper
caught the words instantly, aud wonder.
ing who the duce II was Strengthened 40
aud stared al the stage as II he would
have given two dollars and half to know
something more.
4 Pepper how's your molhcrI came from
the instrument, and Pepper thoroughly
myaihcd, turned suddenly to bis fair
! partner to express his utter astonishment
at the most singular circumstance.
/ A inck would have II, the auditorium
held several telegrapbers, who by this
time saw that Jim was up to one Of bic
old tricks, aud with one accord they be.
gan to look about the theatre for Pep.
/ per- .......
4 Jim saw the effect Of bis experiment,
aud enjoyed himself hugely.
, Pepper hadn't got through telling bis
girl all about II when there came another
message.
( That won't DO, old Pepper, know you
we'll, aud YOU hadn't better be fooling
/ that eouhding creature with any soft non.
7 sense.
This ronsed the telegraph boys 10 The
very pitch of curiosity, and many u them
stood up gozing Iongiugly about them as
! II their only object in life was 10 dis.
cover Pepper.
/ Pepper felt that they knew him. and
the confusion which had been gradually
covering Bis handsome features, grew in
70 modification when be saw 50 many
eyes evidently leveled a. bin, aud Il lusi
eliminated in bis withdrawal from tbs
theatre. Bul jim was bound to give bins
a parting shot, and IS he faded from view
he bore 10 bis sars Good bye Pepper.
Pot your trust IN Providence, bot Keep
your powder dry.
Ihosa wb9 appreciated tie affair ssrs
much aInnssd, and -, Indeed, was the
victim himself when, on the following
day, be learned who bad - neatly cap.
tuFed him