Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-25
Aumuruns department.
A DOG ON THE WIRES.

DOG ON The WlkESs
A good story comes from Norwalk, Conn
One day last week, gaunt, slab-sided chap,
with particles of hay-seed on his coat and in
his tow-colored hair, stepped up to the tele-
graph Office at the railroad depot, and asked
if the boss was in. The operator assured him
that he was, and his rural friend went on to
relate that he lived up in Dsnbury, had come
down from there that morning, and had in
tended bringing his brothers dog, which a
man in Norwalk wanted to buy, but had for
/, gotten it, and wanted to know if the dog
could be sent down from there by telegraph.
The man of lightning seeing a good chance
for little fun, at once answered.
"Certainly, sir, that is matter of common
occurrence; all that is necessary for you to
do is to give me description of the dog, so
that no mistake can be made; call again in
about half an hour, and the dog will be here. "
"It is a yellow dog with small ears. and is
about so high" said the Granger, placing his
hand about eighteen inches from the floor.
He then took his departure with the remark
that he would call again pretty soon.
The operator then sent his message boy to
look for dog as near the description as pos
sible which he soon succeeded in finding. 1t
was at once brought to the Office and secured
to the operators desk by means of piece of
telegraph wire. After little coaxing the
dog was made to lie quietly down and every
thing was in readiness for our rural friend.
Punctual to the time appointed he made his
appearance, and asked if the dog had come.
II will see," said the operator; and STEP
ping up to the instrument he tapped few
times on the key, at the same time inserting
his leg under the desk, he managed to step
on the dogs toes, which caused him to yelp.
"Ah he's coming" said the operator, and
tapping more furiously on the key, he, at the
same time kicked the dog clean from under
the table, who, not relishing this kind of
treatment, barked furiously and ran around
the Office with the wire attached to his neck.
"Fifty cents, sir" said the operator, turn
ing round to the countryman. "Uncommon
nice dog; must be worth $50; but he is the
hardest dog I ever received over the wires.
He is 80 muscular, you see, that he broke the
wire; in fact, piece of it is now attached to
his neck, which he broke off,"
During the whole of this operation the
couDtryman gazed on the operator with eyes
wide open and full of surprise; but when the
dog came from under the table and was seen
by the countryman, that was the eliminating
point, and he was struck with amazement.
After looking at the dog moment or so, he
said, "Say, mister, he amt so big as he was,
and he is darker; how is that?"
"Oh, that is easily explained" said the op-
orator; "you see the chemicals employed in
making electricity of course darkens his orig
inal color, and the velocity with which he
passes over the wires causes him to contract
in size; but after you expose him to the air
for short time be will soon assume his orig
inal size and color"
.'Du tell" said the countryman; and after
placing fifty cents on the counter, picked up
the dog and walked out of the Office, remark
ing that "the man who invented them tele-
graphs must be very knowledgeable man"
A VErERAN.-"N. Nestos, Esq" writing
to the Boston Yankee Blade, says: "Going out
in the New Haven train the other evening" 1
chanced to sit in the seat with an American
citizen of African descent. He was we'll
dressed, though not dandi6ed, and appeared to
be very intelligent and gentlemanly person.
We entered into conversation, and among
other subjects, spoke of the aspect of political
affairs, particularly in South Carolina. He
seemed to be very we'll posted, and familiar
with prominent men and localities in the State.
I asked him if he had ever been there.
"Oh yes, was born there, but have been
at the North for some years"
"How do you think the matter will be set
tied ?" asked. "Do you think We shall have
another warp
81 hope moi" was the reply. II got enough
of the last one. was private servant to four
different colonels during the war, every one of
whom was killed, and I served in the army
over four years, being in some twenty engage
ments in ALL"
"What do you think of those Southern fel.
lowsw asked republican in the seat back of
US. who had been an attentive and interested
listener to our conversation. "They are a
rascally set, aren't they ?"
"Well no, I don't think 80. [ always found
them to he very honorable men, and when
they promised anything they kept their word,
which can't say for some gentlemen l have
met at the North"
The questoner was little taken back by
this reply, but he asked further:
"What is your opinion of Wade Hampton p
"I think he is gentleman and true friend
of the colcred man"
"Were you in Gen. Grants division p
queried the gentleman, changing the subject
"No," was the startling answer, 81 was on
the other side"
The smile that went around the car at this
unexpected revelation showed that the passen-
gers appreciated the humor of the situation,
and when I got out, democrat from further
up on the road took my seat and began ques-
tioning the gentleman who was in twenty en-
gagements, but, alas, "on the other side"
FAsTIDIoUs.-He was very gentle in man.