The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-07
A Telephone Exchange.

Curiosity prompted me to step into q
Telephone Exchange one night recently,
and as entered l. was greeted with the
usual 'hello," "by young man seated at
one of the boards. He was not over eight
teen or twenty years old. 4 slight nous.
tache adorned his upper lip; his hair
was combed down over his fore.
head in bang style, and he held
a cigar between his teeth in away
that is peculiar to all telephone boys. did
not answer the salute at first, thinking,
probably, he was talking to u customer.
But he smiled a telephone smile, and
said:
"Walk in, sir. Don't be afraid"
walked up to the board, and said:
~ just thought would drop in and 500
how you manage this business, and hope
you will not think me too inquisilive if |
ask few questions.
'Oh, no, sir. Our business is to talk at
oil times, and to all sorts OF persons, and
we are only too glad when we Can accom-
modate any one in any way. Now, sir,
anything you wish TO know about this
great invo"tlon will be cheerlully made
known to you.
tclt somewhat relieved by the man.
| ner Ill which he spoke, and Immediately
Loards, transmitters, call bells, etc., W hen
| got back to where he was seated, ho
pointed to chair and bade Inc sit down.
Can you explain the principals by
which tho telephone conveys seund2" 1
asked.
| "Yes SIR"
"Wcll, SIR" said 1, II should like very
much to be enlightened"
He mOt;oned Inc to come to the board,
to which large humber Of wires were
| attached.
"Ihis," he said, pointing to transmittcr,
''is what We speak through, 1t ID simply
an electro magnet, on which we place an
iron disc, which Is lelt free To vibrations OF
this dlsc."
"What is a disc z" I asked
''Ihe disc is tie fiat circular plate you
see over the electric magnet
sa" that the young man evidently un-
derstood his business, and my inquiries
took another direction.
what ls your opinion In regard to the
tuture or the telephone I" asked.
"Well, Sir, regard it as one one Of the
greatest boons 10 mankind, aud my i'm
preston is tnat the telephone is yet in it's
Infancy"
40 you think it possible that the tele-
phone may III time take the place now
HELD ny the Morse telegraphlc systcln2''
mo, Sir" lie said, alter pause, 'sbut
think Che telephone will become prac-
Lcal means Ot inter communication ut
greater distances than at present. 1 have
an loea that some day we will have tele-
phone communication with Europe:
| 'Do you, indeed 2"
Now" said he, II will relate TO you q
lew OF Ihe phchomena that occurred under
my own Observation Recently one of our
boys answered a Call from u pr.minen,
saloon, in tho west part OF the town. The
customer, from all appea,ance WAS under
the influence OF liquor. His voice was
scarcely audible, anu the boy had hard
TINE to find out what he wanted. Alter
the lapse OF, say fifteen mil uLcs, the boy
| reeled from the instrument in q drunken
stupor. Yes, sir, and hc was q strictly
temperate boy, 100, and strange US it may
! appear, that ltno cannot be used yet. Come
| here and listen."
| put my car to the receiver, and the
hlccoughs came clear and distinct.
''The boy" continued the Sapcrinten-
dent, ''rccelved al order for telephone
from LeAf and dumb man recently,
and in plain unadullerated English ex-
pressed his gratitude for the glorious re-
suit. But" said he, with sigh, :the
company is beginning to consider the
problem OF reducing expenses. They have
received letter from u prominent scientist
III Calcutta, who has made proposition
Which, II accepted, Will throw us operators
oul OF employment. lie states that accord
ing 10 his method the expenses ot operating
the lines Will be reduced fifty per cent.
II Will be bad day Tor us ii Ais PROPOSE
tlon Is accepted"
What ID the preposition2' asked.
'Parrots."
"Good day, SIR" and 1 bowed myself
out.