The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-28
LIFE OF THE LINEMEN.
They Run Some Risks and See Many Un-
usual Sights.


National Republican.
Our life is not an easy one, but if we keen
our eyes open we can see enough to relieve
the monotony of existence We catch fleet
ing glances of some strange phases of real
life in the pursuit of our business. To many
it is simply hard work and lot. but the ma
jority of our fellows are on the look out for
funny incidents, and none enjoy such bet
ter"
Your work is not unattended with dan
ger, is it?' inquired a bystander of the loqua-
cious lineman.
mo. We run good many risks, but ac-
cidents seldom occur excepting through
carelessness or inexperience. We get up
among the telegraph wires sometimes when
it is unsafe. The current from a standard
battery is not strong enough to do any dam
age, although a perceptible shock is felt
when one takes a wire in his hand across
which message is being sent. When the
air is surcharged with electricity, however,
it is different. and linemen do not like to
venture aloft during a storm or very soon
before or after a storm. They are liable to
be knocked from their perches by current
OF unusual strength, or when lightning
strikes the wire. To touch one of the electric
light wires is almost certain death, and Won
will notice that these wires are wrapped in
many thicknesses Of cloth or other non-con-
ductor to guard against accident as far as
possible"
"Linemen in cities have the most fun
They do not go spying around, but they can
not be expected to keep their eyes shut when
unwonted objects come within their range of
vision. They spend about half their time
on level with the third and fourth floors
Of tpppmant hOnSpS 1wplliDUS nd hIOol-e
They cannot travel with brass bands to warn
people of their approach, and the first mott
fication dwellers of sky parlors have of the
near approach of lightning tinkers is the
sight of one of them thrusting his face up
through the network of wires in front of
their windows, or dropping down from the
roofs upon the cornices below. If it
should be hot the ladies are
very likely to be dressed for comfort rather
than for the reception for visitors, and under
such circumstances the sudden appearance
of liueman is exceedingly disquieting. Vim
egarish females sometimes give the climbers
dressing down" that makes their blood
tingle, throwing plates at them, threatening
to scald them or treat them to some such
entertainment. Occasionally the irate house
holder will threaten to throw marauding
linemen from the roof of their house unless
there is vacation Of the premises imme-
diately.
People living in the upper stories of high
buildings do not usually expect to see visit
ors from their outer windows I have seen
hundreds of surprise parties in my career
while cambering about roofs and roosting in
tall poles trying to locate a break or hanging
new wire. | have interrupted lovers stealing
kisses; looked in upon scenes of domestic
comfort and discomfort; upon loving family
groups and snarling collections OF men,
women and children; | have seen the poor
living at home in destitution and squalor
that would start tears in the eyes of craven
image. have had peeps at sick beds, and
seen lnyalids dying in rags and want and
have taken sly glances behind lace curtains
upon the rich as they loll the hours away in
idleness and repose. l have seen thousands
of pictures of actual life that would be well
worth putting on canvas. An artist could
not spend year to better advantage than in
swinging in mid air untangling telegraph
lines. He would see enough in twelve months
to keep him busy for ten years.