The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-10-15

He spoilt his fine clothes,
AS one would suppothes,
But he says he won't do it agagne.
WhileI am anxious to put into rhythm,
Iieel every time that I'm wythim-
HIS name it is Hugh,
And know he's trugh blugh-
The stonsest desire to kythim.
Puck
THE THORSDALE TELEGRAMS.
When first arrived at Thorsdale was 10,
having just graduated from q Western COL
lege, with magnificent diploma, and, II it
had not been for knowledge of telegraph.
Ing and notwithstanding, would have been
assisting widowed sister Of mine, keeping
school, in town in the western portion Of
the State. Thorsdale had then rather a
typographical than typographical exist.
ence. While Twoboysboro and Smoilersville
enjoyed the distinction Of capital letters in
the railroad guide, Thorsdale had to be
satisfied with the smallest type. Thorsdale
was simply the intersecting point Of two
railroads, which formed an X ut that point,
and for buildings had q dilapidated freight
depot, few struggling houses, and
Autograph station, In which for q certain
time was employed.
1t was an oppressiyely sultry August after.
noon when ] first presented myself at the
Office, and became acquainted with Mr..
Thor, its occupant. Apparently Mr.. Thor
did not much heed the few words of salu.
tation gave him, though he rose from bis
work and offered me dilapidated Office
stool. Somewhat tired, perhaps rather con-
fused by his manner, which, though not un-
courteous, was In the highest degree indif-
reliance, sat rather uncOmf0rtably on the
high chair for some minutes, wondering
whether would like position in the Thors-
dale Office, and coming pretty rapidly to the
conclusion that with Mr.. Thor as q fellow
telegraph clerk should not relish it. lex
cused his not talking to me just then because
he seemed quite busy with his instrument,
studying ut the same time railroad time
table, which was pasted on the wall before
him. Suddenly he turned toward me and
said; Miss BrownW
"Yes, sir" replied.
an. Brown. Is NJ for Miranda, Mirabel
or Made}ine~
"No, sir; my name is Mary. Yours is Mr..
Thor, presume"
"Yes, Jahn," and he spelt 1t out for me
on the machine. "J.a.h-n-so, and not
John. Are you quick operators"
Not very, sir; though have had fair
practical experience"
$50! Rather easily flustered?" he In.
CURED, moving toward another machine,
which commenced working and over which
be was now bending somewhat attentiyely.
"Didyou understand that last message"
."No, sir, " answered, II was not listen.
Ing; Icould have understood had chosen
"Then you are not curious?"
Yes, / am, y / responded by no means
felishing his interrogations.
ION Thursday you will commence work
in earnest. We might ~ well understand
one another at once, Mrs Brown. The Office
vii! expect yonr whole time and attention;
and holidays will be few and far between.
works on silently, Increasingly.
Now his machine worked of a long mes
sage. It was an important one, evidently,
N when he had written 1t down I heard him
signal to repeat It.
Please listen, Miss Brown. The woman
1t the other end Il nervous and hystericsl,
- usual. You might as well at once BE- let
into the secrets Of these two railroads, both
Of which are shamefutly mismanaged.
sometimes, II II were not for promptness
and decision on the part of the telegraph
people, passengers would be murdered in
the the most wholesale way, every day In the
week. Be good enough to put down In pen.
oil what comes. / will call It out for you:
Smoil to Thor. Down train fifteen-no,
eigteen-- miuutes ahead Of time. Kettridge,
TIE engineer, said to be intoxicated or insane.
Retain him, Il pOssible-il-but-h how
sveru-here something like an oath escaped
Mr Thor's lips. Excuse me-" he cried.
but the woman IL 50 provoking Just
Them The machine began again and no con-
tinned: "Thank goodness, some one has
pushed her aside and has her instrument
Vow. and here comes the message straight.
Mxite y dswn IN Ink now. Miss Brown:
there VIII be no corrections to make" And
be called out to me rapidly as follows:
Kettridge crazy drunk; Is armed and des.
pefAt6. There VIII be smash. Have tele-
Mnpned all along the line g people q sta.
re - Thor rh he NAV s S.e ipe NJ taRa
MIN vnmrsaW WRrvra S,s ssS Sr:r,ar ~ t,s .sk ~
vish snHle snrainei: Hettridse heaxe ~ hin, =,
s. the tender: Watch out. CO depot hands
S,, TS |: e Il. !. 8:
On =. : s'de . track; -. -, "WAr AT. =.
mouth. Mr. Thor whistled moment, then
su'e 70 me, ana rea0 inc message, winch
ns Ml slanscIlpea ON az once plank:
49,. uSo q nan1, 4nito .l IeelDle. .S.n.o,o.t
:. =. ns spe e.sss. - c9s moi q1s g piain
- - snS Iosts ls1n ~ sno pen, 00uDtiesS;
then he carefully o,9tted the paper and put
.a. .u uda~ $500 No ~ y ~. .sra ssow %
Il Il