The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1875-08-14
y Story Of II Telegraph Operator.
ny Ed. RUMLEY,

In my carly youth left home b avoid
inc harsh treatment of passionate step
iather, anu to- endcavor to obtain livcii-
hood Tor myself. With tho littlo money
had nccumulntcd, and the addition OF
few dollars from my dear mother, !
started westward, md my first haltinp
place was Chicago. While saunterinG
along the streets Of that great city, undc.
clded which way to turn, or where to find
employment, met with nm old school.
mate, one who had been very dear to n.c
throughout my boyhoOd. 1t did nat re-
Yuire much persuasion to have me accom-.
pnny him home, whore was kindly re-
celved and mndc welcome by his purents.
lie had been for two years engaged in
the telegraph Office, and had become quite
proilclcnt in tho language Of tho wires.
went with him to the office on tho fol-
lowing morning, and by his kindness and
interccssi0n obtained situation as mes
schgcr. For two years | tramned the
busy streets Of TINT great city, conveying
messages OF joy or sorrow, of pleasure or
PAIN OF life or death; seeking the rccip-
icnis III the garrcts of poverty, the cellars
"i lhi4ulty, in the counting-r0om of tho
merchant, in the mansions of the great.
soon bccnmc acquainted with the
Workings of the office, and in littIc.whiIe
could read the click of an OPERATOR s
Key rs though II spoke "my mother
tongue" at last | was engaged as an
operator, and served in that capacity dur
ing TIC hrst three years of tho war; and
altcrward entered the army.
at tho close Of the war I decided to
SEQ as much Of tho world rs I could be-
fore settling in life. For this purposc |
purchased noblo horse and in company
with Others started for the Pacific shores.
Nothing worthy Of note occurred until
VIC arrived in the vicinity of the Hum.
boldt, In Nevada territory.
mhIio ongnged in shooting sngc hens
Decnmc detached from my party, and
darkness coming on dismountcd, intend.
my 10 camp for tho night near II small
stream: While engaged in preparing II
lirc with some dry brush discovered
smoke curling up above tho tall trocs
that bGltcd tho stream. rcmOuntcd my
horse and rode on In hopes Of finding my
compnhions, but ns | lrcw near [ was
surprised to find n well.built log hut. |
stopped To rccOnnOiter, and after deciding
to proceed, my horse refused to movo IN
that direction. This aroused my fears In
slight degree, but curiosity lcd mo on
~ deep thrust with my spurs sent Hero
on with lively pace, and in n moment
moro nc wore in front of tho house.
Dismonnting | approached the loor
md hcsitaiingly raped. hcsitatcd DO
cause voices were busily engaged in soi1lt
altcrcaiinn, but ON rapping tho quarrc
| ceased. The door suddenly nurun6 opd .
TALL lean, lank, bluo.noscd, gray-hnirct
man stopped out.
"Slrangcr,' said I, patronizingly, "car
sou give nIc accommodation for ih
nigur
"Ycs, for money" 'qunllcd tho man.
al have plenty Of money" unguartl
rLly snid; then, thinking Of tho danger
Of II wcll.tillcd purse, continued: &"
lmvc. plenty Of monUy for ono night
lodging"
At this moment half dozen ill.ravnre
wrctclcs pokcd their long.haircd head
out Of the door aud vowed mo with Il,
mir Of recruiting sergeant, and notwitl
standing that had been through tho wu
the crowd before INC was the hardest nc
Of scallawags ever SAW. | knew tia
IL would not do to let them SEQ that wa
intimidntcd, 80 stepped up 10 them rs f.
military ~ | could under tho circun
stances, md extending my hand, said:
"lIoys, IL makes mu happy TO SEQ
whiiu man nftcr fighting the indians $
long. How nro yOui"
Thuy came tumbiiuR out Of tho doc
md suddenly bocamo very familiar. Tw