Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-06-06

Jacket, and broad -brlmmed Dutter-
nut hat, a lelic OF his life in Memphis.
The wide rim was badly torn and
hung down so that you could see his
ear through the opening. There was
the slightest trace of dirt on his up
per lip, that he called mustache.
His hair hadn't been combed for a
week, and he wore the blacklist white
shirt that was ever seen or the back
of human being. Nervously pinch
ing his upper lip--a habit that he had
he inquired for the manager, and
was sent to Milliken.
"sAre you the boss?' Tom asked.
MiIliken smiled and said he was man.
ager. Tom then introduced himself,
and asked when they wanted him to
90 to work. Milliken stared at him
as though he couldn't believe his ears,
and said, AT half-past five.' 1t was
then well along in the afternoon.
Tom began to look around the office
for a clock, and Milliken said. Young
man, you have to work pretty heavy
wire.' Tom gave what he called his
mustache an extra twist. aud with all
the assurance in the world, blurted
out, All right, boss; I'll be here at
half-past flve.' He sloped so quick
that it made Milliken's head swim.
"The operators burst into a peal OF
laughter. They had seen and heard
everything, and their remarks were
anything but complimentary to Tom.
oh said one Of them. 'he won't last
as long as that Jerseyman that
tackled the wire the other day. Why,
that fellow cant't read by paper, let
alone by sound, shouted another. A
third declared that Tom was the
worst he ever saw and when fourth
wondered whether the walking be-
tween Michigan and Boston was very
good there was a general roar.
WELL continued Stewart, $3.50
came, and so did Tom. Everybody
was on the qssi UiUe. Milliken was
Just taking from the vault the supply
OF blanks for the night operators. As
Tom came up he pointed to pile ol
them, saying "Take what blanks you
want, and I'll show you your table.
Tom innocently picked up the whole
bundle and followed Milliken to his
table. The operators began to grin
and snicker. They all thought that
he would get bounced after trying to
catch one message. 1t was the No.
wire to New York. Jerry Borst, then
considered one OF the fastest senders
| in the country, worked the New Yorl
end. As Tom seated himself HI
heard the call b. and turning to Mil
liken, asked il that wss the call fo
Boston. Yes replied the manager
watching Toms movements with in
tense curiosity. Thereupon Ton
opened his key and ticked tie an
swer, Il, II Jerry began to 'whool
'em up in his best style, and ever.
eve was turned on Tom. He dis
played no anxiety, but kept righ
along at his work as though he ha'
been taking Jerry all his life. FO
| four mortal hours did Jerry keep !
up hundred pounds to the squar
inch. and four mortal hours did Ton
take it down in handwriting as nea
and plain as reprint. For the frs
time in his life Jerry had rushed
until he was tired without breal
from the receiver. He was aston
ished. When he had finished, tn
following passages passed betwee
them:
FROM JERRY.
Who the devil are you, anyhow?
FROM TOM.
I'm the new man. My name Is Tor
Edison.
FROM JERRY.
Well, by [ripper-REP.l, you're tn
man I've been looking for for the las
ten years, and you're the only man
ever found that could take me with
out break. Shake.
"And they shook. The astonish
ment OF the boys In the office was IN
bounded. There was no more gibin
or snickering. Everybody wa
Toms friend at once. The next da
Mi!liken picked up sheet OF Tom
manuscript, and refiectively strokes
his long beard. L never saw sue
pretty copy he said. He's as goo
an operator as ever met.'-Ne