Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-20
A TELEPHONE CATASTROPHE.
Three Lines Mixed Up by Storm
and the Decidedly Mixed COHVer-
sRI10n tbnt Followed.

Three Ltneu Mixed Bp by n storm |
and the Decidedly Mixed COBver-
saI1On that Followed.
Detroit Telegraph
Three Of the numerous telephones
that have been put into service
during the past year afforded very
amusing episode a few days ago.
The three telephones connect the
city Offices on or near Woodward
avenue with three large establish
ments in Springwells. One is a
brick yard, one a foundry and ma
chine shop, and one pork-packing
establishment, and the brick-mak-
er's line also extends to his resi-
dence. AT one point between the
city and Springwells all three of
THESE lines are attached to the roof
Of the same building, and rest on
the same cleat, but each has, of
course, its own insulator. During
the heavy wind storm a few days
ago the wires became unfastened
from the insulators on the particu-
lar building and firmly crossed in
such q manner as to make them,
practically, one line. On the morn
ing following the storm the clerk
in the Office Of the foundry, who is
of q mischievous turn Of mind,
heard the bell attached to the in
strument at his desk ring in a pc
culiar manner. 1t gave a different
signal from that used by the firm
with whom he is employed. Plac-
ing his ear to the diaphragm he
heard a gruff voice say "Halloo,"
and also heard a reply. Thinking
that some one unaccustomed to the
instrument was talking from the
office he resolved to have some fun.
The reader, remembering that al
three of the lines are crossed, vii
readily understand the conversation
which ensued. The brick-makel
called his Springwells establish
ment and said: "John, send ur
two loads of brick to the Office"
Clerk-0h, take the bricks out
of your hat!
Brick-maker-What is that yor
say?
Clerk-Pull down your vest!
B. M.-Who is fooling with this
instrument Z?
Olerk-0nly John.
B. M.-That is not you, is it
John?
Clerk-What dye soy?
B. MIS- that John?
Clerk-YeS, John the pie-bitel
B. LEO away from the mouth
piece, you scoundrel.
"About this time there came
female voice along the wires, say
ing, sis that you, pa?"
Olerk-No, it isn't paw"
Female Voice-Who is it?
t Clerk-Flute Magilder.
f. V.-Who?
Clerk-A hungry man iror
Windsor.
f. V.-Where are you?
Clerk-In Springwells. Wher
I. are YOU?
+. Vat home, on avenu,
Clerk-DOn't you wish you wer
here?
f. V.-No; l think you're res
meant
During this conversation tn
{. brick-maker became furious, an
a tried to put stop to the converse
S tion by calling through his telC
!, phone. But as soon as he con
G menced the mischievous cler
l would turn the crank and set til
: bells ringing so that no one coul
t be heard. The clerk could get n
t further responses from the youn
i lady, and so turned his attention
d her enraged parent. A war {
Q words followed, at the conclusio
Il of which the man of bricks al
It nounced his intention of visitin
e the yard in Springwells to "st
n about it,"
h He had hardly left the instrume1
a before another strange call cam
If and the clerk heard the pork-pac
y ing gentleman order some one
s. the packing-house to bring up
it load of hams.
J. Clerk-Put more salt on yol
l. hams and then they'll keep.
s Pork-packer-What's that?
is Clerk-Take some salt; YOU
L too fresh.
It P. P.-Who is that?
$, Olerk-John, the ham-fat ma
n ?. P.-See here, you! Just
n away from therel | want to ia
10 business.
Y Clerk-Well, fire away.
rs P. P.-Will you send a load
lie hams to the store 4?
Clerk-Haven't any. Can sci
h. you load of castings.
is p. P.-Where the ID are yot
ut Clerk-At Is foundry.
Oh P. P.-Is that you, II ?
ID Olerk-It are.
in ?. P.-How did you get hold
nd our liner
ok ! Clerk-Blessed if ] know.