St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1880-06-12

developing the traits of forethought and
caution is no slight factor in its utility
and beneficial effect upon mankind.
Some experienced telephone operators,
saddened and chastened by months Of
laundering, become wise and wary.
When they desire to communicate with
a friend they open the conversation in q
crafty, willy manner, parley and pro-
crastinate until they become convinced
that there is no question as to the
identity of the speaker at the other IN
tremity OF the wire with the person
called. and not until then plunge into
the business with assurance. When q
call comes to them over the wire, and
the gong-like bell sounds it's note of
warning, they approach it with the
same caution exhibited by an army adj
vancing to meet an enemy in an un-
known country. Then system of cross
questioning is carried on, sometimes
very amusing to disintcrested listener.
In the office of prominent LAWYER ON
California street, a gentleman noted for
his sagacity and kecnness, a specimen
scene of this kind occurred the other
day.
"Ding! ding. ding"' went the tele-
phone.
The legal gentleman slowly arose from
his easy chair, approached the apparatus
with suspicious air, and applied his
ear to the instrument
You there?'
"Depends upon whom YOU mean,'
was the guarded response.
81 mean Mr.. B., the lawver.''
"Who are you?''
"Judge c.
whats your Christian namc?'
81 have no time for tritling, am in q
hurry. Have you got the papers in that
CASE
"Where and when were you born?''
continues the imperturable attorney, re-
lapsing into professional habits.
My dear sir, what possible bear
ing
g You cant remember, Ell? Just as
l thought declared the strategic legal
gentlemen in an aside. Trying to
evade an answer. It's that rascal Tom,
or else l. naming a professional
rival. "But know how to put a quietus
on the matter. Halloa there" address
Well.' came the response.
Allow me to read you an interest
ing document written one hundred and
three years and nine months ago, and
dear to the hearts of all American citi-
ZenS:
When, in the course Of human events. it be-
comes necessary for one people to dissolve the
political bands which have connected them
with another, and to assume, among the pow
ers Of the earth, the separate and equal station
TO which the laws Of nature and Of
81 should be very much obliged if
you would postpone your evolutionary
practic until the fourth of next July,
MIR. b. came across the wire in digni-
fed displeasure and a tone of decided
judicial severity, unmistakable to the
nearer. The joker was discomtitted
and fastened to make due apologies
for his blunder.
The possibilities of the telephone have
not vet been fathomed. The day is APP
preaching when it will seem quite as
natural to conduct business transactions,
arrange affairs of State, examine wit
nesses, have social chats, sing songs and
make love through its agency, as face to
face. But the peril to statesmen, tinan-
ciers, rogues and lovers will be so in
creased by reason of the rare facilities
for discovering secrets afforded by tap
ping the wires, that mysterious forms OF
speech will become as common as cryp-
tograms in telegraphic communications.
Never until then will the nation be Sc
cure.-Sdn Francisco Chronicle.