The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-29
MISCELLANY.
A STORY OF A TELEGRAPH OPER4
TOR

L
TOR.
In my early youth left home to avoid
the harsh treatment of a passionate step
father, and to endeavor to obtain live
ihood for myself. With the little mon
ey had accumulated, and the addition OF
few dollars from my dear mother, l
started westward, and my first hating
place was Chicago. While sauntcring
along the streets Of that great city, unde-
cided which way to turn or where to find
employ ment, met with an old school.
mate, one who had been very dear to me
throughout my boyhood. 1t did not re-
quire much persuasion to have me accom-
pany him home, where was kindly re.
ceive,l and made welcome by his parents.
He had been for two years engaged in
the telegraph office; and had become quite
proficient in the language Of the wires.
I went with him to the office on the fol.
lowing morning, and by his kindness and
intercession l obtained situation as
messenger. For TWO years I tramped the
busy streets of that great city, conveying
messages of JOY Or sorrow, of pleasure or
pain. of life or death seeking the re-
cipients in the garrets Of poverty, the
cellars of iniquity. in the counting rooms
Of the merchants in the mansions of the
great.
[ soon became acquainted with the
workings Of the office. and in a little while
I could read the click of an operators
key as though it spoke *'my mother
tongue At last I was engaged as an
operator, and served in that capacity dur
ing the first three years of the war, and
Of IN ba
At the close of the war decided to see
as much of the world as could before set
thing in life. For this purpose purchas-
cd noble horse and in company with
others started for the Pacific shores.
Nothing worthy Of note occurred until
we arrived in the vicinity Of the Hum
bolt, in Nevada territory.
While engaged in shooting sage hens I
became detached from my party, and
darkness coming on dism ounted, intend.
ing to camp for the night near small
stream. While engaged in preparing
fire with some dry brush discovered
smoke curling up above the tall trees that
beltcd the stream. I remountel my
horse and rode up in hopes Of finding my
companions, but as | drew near | was
surprised to find a we'll built log hut. l
stopped to reconnoitcr, and after decid-
ing to proceed, my horse refused to move
in that direction. This aroused my fears
in slight degree, but curiosity led me on.
A deep thrust with my spurs sent Hero
on with a lively pace, and IN moment
more we were in front Of the house.
Dismounting I approached the door
and hesitatingiy raped. hesitated be-
cause voices were husiIy engaged in some
alteration, but Oh rapp:ng the quarrel
ceased The door suddenly opened and
tail. lean, lanl1, blue .nosed, gray .haired..
man stepped out.
''stranger,' said I patronizingly, s'can
YOU give me accommodation for the
right?:
Eyes, for money!" squallcd the man.
81 have plenty of money! I unguard-
odly said; then thinking Of the dangers
of q we'll filled purse, continued: have
plenty of money for one nights lodg;ng.'
At this moment half a dozen ill-favored
wretches poked their long haired heads
out of the door and viewed me with the
air of recruiting sergeant and notwith-
standing that had been through the war
the crowd before me was the hardest set
of scallewags ever saw. | knew that it
would not do to let them see that was in.
Inundated, so I stepped up to them as