Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-03-23

Curiosity prompted me to step into
Telephone Exchange one night recently,
and as entered was greeted with the
usual ''hello," by young man sealed at
one of the boards. He was not over eight
teen or twenty years old A 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 pc culiar to all telephone boys. did
not answer The salute at first, thinking.
probably, he was talking to a customer.
But he smiled telephone smile, and
said:
"Walk in, sir. Don't be afraid"
Iwalked upto the board, and said:
81 just thought would drop in and see
how You manage this bGslness, and l hope
you will not think me too inquisiliye If l
ask a few questions.
''Oh, no, sir. Our business is to talk at
all 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 10 know about this
great inve..tlon will be cheertuily made
known to you.
felt somewhat relieved by the man.
ner IN which he spoke, and Immediately
began a tour of inspection of the switch
.osrds, transmitters, Call bells, ETC., When
| got back 10 where he was seated, he
pointed to chair and bade me sit down.
Can you explain the principals by
which the telephone conveys seundT' 1
asked.
s.Xae sir ~
swell, SIR" said |, 81 should like very
much TO be enlightened.
lie mot:oned me to come to the board,
To which a large humber of wires were
attached.
This" he said, pointing to transmitter,
lis what We speak through. 1t is SIMPLY
an electro magnet, on which we place al
iron disc, which Is lett free to vibrations OF
this dIsc.n
''what is disc :" asked.
The disc is tie flat circular plate you
see over the electric magnet
saw that the young man evidently un-
derstood his business, and my inquiries
took another direction.
''N hat is your opinion IN regard to the
future OF the telephone T" asked.
"Mell, sir, 1 regard it as one one OF the
greatest boons 10 manhind, and my im-
preston is that the telephone is yet in its
Infancy"
''Do you think it possible that the tele-
phone may in time take the place now
held 10y the Morse telegraphic systenI"
mo, sir" Lie said, aller pause, shut
think the telephone will tecome a prac-
4 Gal AZ int or
greater distances than al present. 1 have
au iaea that some day We will have tele-
phonlc communication with Europe.
'.Do you, indeed y
"Now," said he, II will relate to YOU q
few Of The phehomena that occurred under
my own observation. Recently one Of our
boys answered Call from a prominent
saloon, in the west part of the town. The
customer, from all appeai ances, Was under
the influence Of liquor. His voice was
scarcely audible, anu the boy had hard
lIn,e " find out what he wanted. Afier
the lapse OF, say fifteen mil uIes, the boy
reeled IRON the instrument in q crunAen
s.upor. Yes, sir, and he was a strictly
temperate boy, 100, ard strange rs IL may
appear that line cannot be used yet. Come
here and llsten."
lput my ear TO the receiver, and the
hiccougns came clear and distinct.
The boy" continued the Saperinten-
dent, received an order for telephone
from CeI and dumb man recently,
and IN plain unadulterated English ex-
pressed his gratitude Tor the glorious re-
suit. But SAID he, with a sigh, 1.-THE
company is beginning to CONSIDER the
problem of reducing expenses. They have
received a letter FROM prominent scientist
IN Calcutta, who has made a proposition,
which, If accepted, Will throw us operators
oui OF employment. lie states that accord
ing TO his melhod the expenses of operating
The lines Will be reduced fifty per cent.
1t will be a bad day Tor US if his PROPOSE
lIon is accepted"
''What is The proposition Z" asked.
Parrots"
''Good day, sir" and l bowed myself