The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-04-30
SELECT STORY.
THE NEW OPERATOR.
THE ROMANCE OF THE NEW TELEGRAPH
OPERATOR AND HIS GIRL.

Nellie and Rob had quarreled. Not
as do many lovers for both were ope
rators and had charge of offices whose
wires were too busy to permit any war
OF words but just enough space had
occurred that morning for each to make
the other miserable. There had long
been an affinity between the two of a
stronger nature than usually exists be-
tween telegraph operators. Nellies
tender touches upon the key could
alone quiet the nervous twitching of
Robins arm when worn out by the
rush of messages and train orders.
She IL was who seasoned the magne-
tism of dots and dashes with a balm
that kept his heart sweet and whole
some. This she often did weaving the
good mornings and good evenings into
lengthy tete-a-tetes.
1t 80 happened one winter evening
that Ned Owens, the operator at Pine
| Bluff, little station intervening be.
ween Milldale and Fairfield, made use
of his ground wire, thus cutting off all
communication between the lovers, but
giving himself free scope to talk to his
pretty and scintillating cousin. She,
however was not kept in the dark as
to the proceedings, and together they
connected scheme to make the devot-
ed Rob Price jealous.
at will he such fun to know that
Rob is fretting and fuming over a
trouble that he believes to be caused
by fallen pole or dislodged tree"
said the handsome Ned, his black eyes
twiukliug with mischief.
"And |, in trying to round off his
surmises, will give sudden hint of
the truth, get red in the face, and ap-
pear much confused continued the
naughty Nellie, tapping her pretty foot
ar%iously against the embroidered
footstool that adorned the little office
Poor Nellie Trumont Little does
she dream that long hours of suffering
must atone for short intervals of heart
lessness and coquetry.
So every day the ground wire went
on, lust at the time when Robin had a
few minutes of rest to talk with his
atfianced, but no answers came to his
repeated calls.
"There is ground north of me- he
repeated, and reported it to the main
office. After testing the wires for
some time the trouble was located at
Pine Bluff. Explanation was asked
for. and the wholesouled Ned, confess
ing that something had bewitched him
in Milldale, was pardoned at the head
quarters, and the matter dismissed.
But into the heart of Robin Price
crept dark suspicion, which no syllo-
gism of his sweetheart seemed true
enough to obliterate. So deep jeal-
ousy budded in his life, that each day
unfolded and perfected.
81 will leave her" he muttered.
"Why toll and sweat out in existence
for creature who will perhaps wreck
my manhood as she has threatened
my youth ?" And with these thoughts
animating his purpose he seized the
key and called "Md,' signing "Fd,"
those being the letters that designated
the two stations, Milldale and Fairfield.
Nellie recognized the stroke and,
springing from her pet birds cage to
the table, opened the key and, after
making several excited dots, sigued her
Office call "Md."
81 leave on No. % for California"
were the words that be little brass
sounder sang out. "To-night's express
brings you a package and letter that
explains all. You have been false"
the instrument continued to sing, and
then came a pause and the circuit
closed.
Burning shame aud indignation that
he should thus accost her on line
where perhaps several dozen were list
ening first seized her, and pride kept
whispering in poor Nellie's ear. Open
ing again the key, she vehemently fin
gered it a moment and then plainly
and leisurely drummed out the most
provoking 80. X"
But o! how she longed TO call it
back How willingly she would have
told him all, not trying to hide the
scalding tears t,at forced their way
down her burning cheeks. But it was
too late.
Robins fears were now confirmed.
He was boarding the train foi his west.
ern tour when some one slapped him
on the shoulders, exclaiming, "Hello,
old pard What's the latest from
Milldale 7" But, seeing the desperate
glare in his rivals eye, he drew back
foot or two.
"You coward groaned Robin.
"How dare you meddle with my heart
and now openl y try to humiliate me y
But as he entered the coach Ned seized
his arm saying, "Don't be rash, Rob.
Come back into the Office and ! will
make everything as clear as my con-
science.
They did go back into the office,
closed the door, and No 23 went whiz.
zing around the bend short one passen-
ger.
Poor Nellie The next few weeks
were long and empty. The spring
wind, instead of blossoming the roses
on her cheeks, kissed away the flush
ana lelu ner lace wan anu expressions
less. Back and forth she went to the
little office, Which, like neglected
flower, had lost its freshness. The
canary was dropping upon the perch
from thirst and hunger, the desk was
in confusion, and everything about the
room reflected her feelings,
The spring time had made many
changes upon the wire. Ned had de
serted his post and new operator had
taken charge of his office, which had
always been a kind of playground fol
her, when she gamboled at will. But
now how changed ! She would no
dare to call this newcomer, who seem
ed always rushed with business, anC
the night operator at Fairfield haC
slipped into her lovers chair quit,
naturally, and taunted her with man,
an insinuation whenever she asked TO
information or showed 4 willingness t,
converse.
Sitting one afternoon broodino owe