National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-11-15
TELEPHoNR TALK.
Washers Who Try 10 Fiirt with the
Giris-A Few Funny Mistakes.

Washers Who Try 10 Fiirt with the
Giris-A Few Funny Mistakes.
Kansas city Times.
Are your lady operators annoyed by
subscribers attempting to Airt with them
by tolephoneS' was asked of the manager.
well, there is disposition on tho part
of giddy young men aud frsky old ones
to talk little sweet TO tho operators.
This is especially noticeable on Sundays
aud after business hours. But tho girls
are watched very closely, when we detect
any inclination on their part to carry on
other than business conversations, and as
all our operators came to US with good
references, we have very little trouble on
this score. As q rule, as soon as sub
scriber begins to bo spoony, they plug on
the chief operator, and the manager is thus
made aware of all such attempts. Very
few episodes Of this kind occur without
the company finding 1t out have the
names of great many young mon who
have made such attempts, and there are
notes in my desk now concerning tho
actions of several young bloods about
town which would form an interesting
chapter If they should be divulged. |
have no doubt IL would take away the
breath of several well-known men If they
knew tho telephone company is aware of
tho flirtations they carry ON with our
girls over tho wires. Yes, we know what
the character of our subscribers is, and
there is not an operator here but what is
familiar with traits of most of them. The
excitablo ones, the swearing members, and
the spoony subscribers can be called by
naino in almost any part of our offices.
To many young men of an over-sensi-
tive nature the perploxing question has
| sometimes arisen, "Uow should announce
myself when some ono asks, Who is itY'
There are some who solve this matter by
promptly answering on all occasions, ut
is Mr.. Jones'" or "Nr. smith," rs the case
may be. Others, however, look on this
form very much as they do on having
Mr." printed on a geutleman's visiting
card, or the title, Colonel" on an election
card. While the solution Of the problem
must be left largely to the individual, 1t
may afford him some relief to hear the
views of well-known gentleman of this
city, who is popularity regarded us pretty
near authority on matters of etiquette.
Said he, in discussing the matter recently:
I'm answering a lady it is always proper
to say This is Mr. Black 1t should
not be considered an ailectation, for 1t is
really uncouth to blurt out: This is Jones
talking OF course very young man
should not use the title at all, but when
IL is not proper TO use the Christian name
in connection with your name, 1t is per
fectly correct to use Mr. in announcing
yourself. In speaking with gentlemen,
q justiiiable regard for your own dignity
will prompt you to use Mr. to those who
are not intimate friends or your superiors
in business relations"
The witty Photographer and the funny
man OF the newspapers have recently
struck new lead in recounting the
amusing mistakes which may occur by
operators giving the wrong party to
subscriber, or switching Off some ono who
has begun n conversation and connecting
him with others who are talking.
A sample story is about customer who
rang up his butcher to inquire what he
had put in tho last sausage sold him. Be
fore the butcher could respond the oper
ator disconnected him, and the customer
was let into conversation between two
mon about we'll which had just been
cleaned, and the one who was talking was
relating what he had found in 1t. Tho
customer only heard two dead cats,
three rats, and" when he threw down
the telephone in horror, and the agonies
Of cholera patient were endured by
him for the next hour. Another tells of
how young lady was shocked by hav-
ing, unknown to her, butcher boys
account of the slaughtering of calf
switched in upon young mans descrip-
ton of runaway in which mutual
young lady friend was concerned. In
tho midst of the account the lady listener
heard q hoarse voice say, 81 then cut her
throat, grabbed her by the leg, and"
and dead swoon prevented her hearing
the conclusion.
A mistake not exactly of this kind, but
still q pretty good sample of amusing
errors which may occur, Is reported from
tho office of n gentleman in this city, and
as its truth is vouched for, it is addi-
tionally interesting. A young business
man rang up, calling for q gentleman
friend. Tho operator mistook the num-
Der, and lady's voice answered, Hello,
what do you wantp
well, who are your"
Pm TO-"
you're too old. Iwant H."
Tableau.