The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-10
BISMARCK.

position of assistant operator in I'll
little telegraph Office at Ellicott, but
soon found out that Old Samp, as tt
boys called him, never would be il
vIted to join the angel band if he di
not sandpaper OFT the ragged edges {
his uneven temper.
Jacob Sampson, properly was m
employer, and if 1 did not get drille
In that office! But there was one ra
of light-one oasis in the desert of m
life in that wretched little prison, an,
that was-Bismarck.
Bismarck was the prettiest, sweet
est little gem of German girl tina
ever breathed. That is her parent
were Germans, who, having been dis
appointed in son, had named thei
only daughter after the great Coun
Won Bismarck.
Bismarck had never been outside O.
the State, and nothing but the sweet
est little accent in the world would
have told you that her parents were
not simon pure Americans.
Her place in our office was that Of
copyist and pupil; she had been well
educated, and was now learning tele-
graphy of Old Samp, who treated us
both with all the arrogance of a low
bred man.
But for all the vigilance of his little
mole-like eyes, found opportunity to
say many sweet word to pretty little
Bismarck, and had often noted the
tenderness in her big blue eyes, and
the flush on her cheek grew to rival
the damask rose when l had uttered
some daring word of love. Daring,
because l never could get a word of
reply from darling Bismarck upon the
subject.
On! l was happy. In spite of pow
erty or Old Samp, knew that Bis
marck loved me, and never despaired
OF making her own it until the day
when my budding idiocy bloomed into
the perfect flower.
Mrs. Warner was one of the worst
female cranks that ever bothered the
human race. She was completely
gone on kilograms. Unfortunately she
had plenty Of money and was continu-
ally sending the most trivial messages
TO her distant friends, and then blam-
ing us because they did not answer
her.
One day when Old Samp was at din
ner she bothered me nearly out of my
wits, and entirely broke up my little
tete-a-tete with Bismarck.
Mrs. Warner" said I, worn out.
III you had received a telegram 1
should have sent it to you"
"YesP' returned she questioningly.
ut is very strange at least. Mary
Jane would let me know if Robbie had |
got over the measles, know
Perhaps she thought letter would
do"
: mo, she knows that 1 would want
to know Immediately. l think there
must be some mistake. 1 will wait
until MIR. Sampson comes in.''
And she did. 1 stole a glance at
Bismarck but she seemed utterly I'M
concerned while the resolute Mrs.
Warner piled me with all sorts of sus-
picious questions. At length l
locked myself into the private office
and let Bismarck carry on the CONVEX
sation.
When Sampson came in he answered
her so grufily that she soon with
drew and then he turned upon me
shortly:
"Why didn't you send that woman
about her business. Haven't you got
q tongue in your headp"
''She didn't think that l was worth
replied /, meekly. ]
This sort of thing lasted for a week.
She always came in about dinner time,
she always waited for Sampson, and {
ne invariably let out his spleen upon
ne. r
l grew to dread her; but one 7
lay when both Bismarck and Samp-
ION were at dinner, there came a c
change. s
Mrs. Warmers errand boy came in G
Ter stead.
''Mrs. Warner wants to know if you f
ave heard from Mary JAMES c
ably P"
NO." replied CURLY. "There has f,
o message come" s.
"Are you sureP"
"Of course l am. Trot back to Mrs. G.
Warner and tell her now.'' O
''Well l don't know" remarked Il
le. "Mrs. Warner thinks you don't
now as much as you might. Won't c.
'ou please write down what YOU b
aidPs q
Eyes l WILL" cried I, in desperation. b
hastily caught up form and finding b
hat Bismarck had been serb, s,
ling some German sentences upon
t, l was about to throw it down d
gain, when thought struck me. W
drs. Warner never could read that. h
dashed it into anu envelope saying in
astily: 81
Take her this and then try and b,
eep away from here" L
The boy had not crossed the street
hen l began to feel uncomfortable. W
hen l laughed in satisfaction as l.,
thought of the time Mrs. tv
'arner would have trying to make L
out. ri,
Bismarck came in directly, looking hi
'ettier than ever.
"Say, Bis" coaxed /, lounging up to it
II desk, "Own up now that you are tr,
st as absurdly in love with me as | 1
n with you" on
She turned upon me look which a
ould have turned the head of old mi
mp himself, and said in assumed in
gnation a