The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-03-11
CHRISTIE'S TELEGRAPHING.

l am very glad, indeed, that tele-
phones have been invented; and vet
am glad they were not sooner invented.
] should like to tell you the reason.
That will take some time for it is quite
story.
We live in the country, at Oakbrook,
and my father is the Treasurer and Su-
perntendent of the Oakbrook Mills.
Our house-a very pleasant country
house it isis situated on a beautifully
wooded slope close to the river, and is
quarter of a mile from the mills. That
is why telegraphic wire was placed
between the two
promised father when it was put up
D that would learn to send messages over
1T. There was no one else in the fami-
ly who could have learned Both my
brothers were at boarding-school, and
mother would as soon have thought of
studying the Chinese language as tele-
graphy.
Father declared that | would never
learn. Girls had but little patience for
such things, he said. Nevertheless, the
wire was put up and connected with a
battery in the library. And in just four
months time had mastered the alpha
bet and the technicalities of the instru-
ment, so that | could use it readily, and
was able to read the messages by ear.
1t was Harry Randall who taught me.
He was one of the clerks at the office;
and he had learned to use the instru-
ment, because it was necessary to have
somebody to send messages by the wire
that ran from the mills to the adjacent
city of Palmer.
Having explained so much, think
have said all that is necessary to enable
you to understand what occurred on
certain February night, about which l
am going to tell you.
We were through supper and were
sitting ogether-father, mother and
around the table in the library, when
Joseph, our coachman and man-of-all-
work about the place, brought in the
evening mail as usual.
Father eagerly took letter that he
seemed to have been expecting, from the
other letters. / noticed disturbed ex-
preston upon his face as he read it; and
was more anxious than surprised when
he arose and went to the hall-dOor,
and called to the girl who was in the din
lng-rOom.
MARY" said he, "tell Joseph to
harness Prince at once. [ must get to
the Junction in time for the eight o clock
. express. He'll have to finish his supper
when he gets back"
Then Returned and said that the let
ter contained intelligence that made it
necessary he should go on to New York
that night OF course, as the wife and
daughter of business man, we knew
what that meant, and that there was
not word OF remonstrance to be said.
SO mother went to make for him what
preparation was needful; and / should
have followed her moment later, but
q that father called me back.
Christie" said he, rather soberly,
" am going to tell YOU something that
no one knows anything about save Har-
ry Randall. | have quite large sum of
money--oyer two thousand dollars-in
my coat-pocket." He touched his
breast with his finger. 81 never keep
large amounts of money by me, but in
this case it was unavoidable, and |
thought | should feel less anxious to
have it with me than to allow it to re-
main ut the office in the safe. Ieannot,
of course, take it to New York. So |
want you to take charge of it, and keep
it until tomorrow morning, and then
carry it to Randall for him to deposit in
the bank Don't say anything about it
to your mother. She is so tfmid and
nervous that she would not sleep wink
all night if she knew so large sum was
in the house. Do you understand"
With no slight feeling of responsible
ity, | took the leathern pocket-book
which he handed me and placed it in
the pocket of my dress.
Father went on, 50 Perhaps you better
put it under your pillow. nf course, it