Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-04-06


sitting down threw open his coat, dis
playing by so doing heavy navy re-
volyer stuck in his belt. Thea he freed
his mouth of quantity OF tobacco Juice
and spoke;
Young ielIer," he said. motioning
with bis head toward the battery, "the'
thar macheen is what yer call lelly'
gram, s'pose?"
WELL" answered, with faint
smile, intended to be somewhat concilla-
tory. CHATS what we send kilograms
by"
wal. | want you to send message
TO friend o. mine out in Cohoe. tell
yer aiorehand haint got no collateral.
But kinder guess you'd better trust me-
young feler.' (Herc he laid his hand
significantly ON his belt 'lll fetch 1t
in ter morrow ei lis convenient"
FASTENED to say that the charge could
just as well be paid at the other end by
his friend.
"Umph! PIaguey little you'll get O.
Jim. l reckon. Iowsumdever. per-
ceed"
What is the message, and TO whom is
it to go?"
IL want you to tell Jim Fellers, OF CO.
hoe. that the bull quit here las night, and
ther sheep1l be close on his heels
As he delivered this sentence he
looked at me US if he expected me to be
mystiied But thought it best moi 10
appear SO. and said carelessly;
II suppose you are dealer in stock
and this is your partner' All. sir, the
telegraph helps you fellows out Of many
a sharp bargain"
"Ya'as. he answered. slowly, evidently
pleased with the way took it. "Ya'as.
that's 'um. I'm sendin' down lot
stock. Bought it dog cheap over in
Genesee, Yesterday. Pdrly lot as ever
you see
| turned 10 my instrument. What
was TO be done? Though ours was q
railroad Office, we often sent business
messages; and il did as usual now !
should probably get rid OF my unwel'
come visitor without further trouble.
But in the short conversation with him |
had somewhat recovered from my first
alarm, AMI now conceived the idea OF
attempting the capture oil Tim Lynch.
was only poor salaried operator,
trying to save enough to marry in the
spring. Five huldred dollars would do
me = great deal oil good just now-to say
nothing Of the eclat of the thing. But
how was i, TO be accomplished? Here
was alone 10 the depot with 4 man big
enough 10 whip his weight in such little
men Us was several times over. Any
attempt to secure him single handed was
no, TO be thought OF. But could not
excuse myself. and going out iasten him
IN? No well knew from the distrust.
lul look in his face that any proposal OF
mine 10 leave the room would be per
empio,iIy objected TO by him. What
then?
Why. simply this l would telegraph
TO the downtown station. But alas
That very day the connection between
the two offices had been cut Tor repairs.
II was seldom used at any time OF course.
But what of that? It was only q ques-
ton OF few seconds more time.
All these thoughts went through my
mind with the rapidity ot lightning as
went 10 the battery. Lynch regarded me
from the corner Of his uncovered eye
with suspicion that made me shake in
my shoes. As ] sat down he arose and
came 10 my side.
Look here. young feller." he hissed
in my ear. and his breath was sickening
with the fumes oil liquor. perhaps you
mean fair enough-1 hope ye do. tor yer
own sake But don't uuderstan' nothin'
bout them tellygrams. and iist want ter
tell We that yer'd better be SQHar'-ior by
the Eternal God eff you 60 back on me!
III stretch You on this yere floor as sliii
as ever did man yill" and felt the
cold muzzle oil his revolver on my cheek.
Perhaps my voice trembled little. but !
was still unmoved in my resolution. as |
replied:
Never tear. sir; I'll tell him all about
the stock" He muttered something to
himself, and still remained standing over
me.
You have heard perhaps how much
character and expression a telegraph
operator can put into his touch. Why
there were dozens of different operator:
communicating with our office, and
could tell at The instant. without ever
making q mistake. who it was signalling
You could tell if man was nervous
from his telegraphing just Is well as yor
could from his handwriting. The cal
that sent hurrying across the State te
Council Bluffs, must have rung out upon
the ears Of the operator like shrek.
&C. B. Are yOu there ?" was what
asked, and almost instantly came back
reply in the affirmative. Then with
trembling hand, | ratified of my mes
sage:
:. For The lore of GOl. telegraph 10 oul