The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-04-02
THE NEW OPERATOR.
The Romance of the New Telegraph
Operator and His Girl.

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 oc-
Cured that morning for each TO make
the other miserable There had long
been an affinity between the two of
stronger nature than usually exists be-
tween telegraph operators. Nellie's
tender touches upon the key could alone
quiet the nervous twitching of Robins
arm when worn out by the rush of mes
sages and train orders. She it was who
seasoned the magnetism of dots and
dashes with balm that kept his heart
sweet and wholesome. This she often
did weaving the good mornings and
good evenings into lengthy tete-a-tetes.
1t so happened one winter evening
that Ned Owens, the operator at Pine
Bluff, little station intervening between
Milldale and Fairfield, made use of his
ground wire, thus cutting off all COM
munication between the lovers, but Civ
ing himself free scope to talk to his pref
ty and scintillating cousin. She, how
ever was not kept in the dark as to the
proceedings, and together they con-
cocted q scheme to make the devoted
Rob Price jealous.
ut will be such fun to know that Rob
is fretting and tuning over trouble
that he believes to be caused by Il fallen
pole OF dislodged tree" said the hand
some Ned, his black eyes twinkling with
mischief.
"And /, in trying to round off his sur
misses, will give sudden hint of the
il, 4I,n
much confused" continued the naughty
Nellie, tapping her pretty foot anxiously
against the embroidered footStool that
adorned tie little office.
Poor Nellie Trumont! Little does she
dream that long hours of suffering must
atone for short intervals of heartlessness
and coquetry.
So every day the ground wire went
on, Just at the time when Robin had II
few minutes of rest to talk with his
afiianced, but no answers came to his
repeated calls.
There is a 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, confessing that
something had bcwitched him in Mill
dale, was pardoned at the headquarters,
and the matter dismissed.
But into the heart of Robin Price crept
dark suspicion, which no syllogism of
his sweetheart seemed true enough to
obliteratc. So deep jealousy budded
in his life, that each day unfoldcd and
perfected
twill leave her." he muttered. "Why
toll and sweat out an existence for
creature who will perhaps wreck my
manhood, as she has threatened my
youthp" And with these thoughts ami
mating his purpose he seized the key
and called 'Md," signing Ed 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, signed her office
call "Md."
II leave on No. 23' for California"
were the words that the little brass
sounder sang out. "To-night's express
brings you package and a letter that
explains all. You have been false" the
instrument continued to sing, and then
came pause and the circuit closed.
Burning shame and indignation that
he should thus accost her on q line
where perhaps several dozen were let
ening first seized her, and pride kept
whispering in poor Nellie's ear. Open
ing again the key, she vehemently fin
gered it q moment and then plainly and
leisurely drummed out the most provok-
ing 30. X"
But o how she longed to call it
back! How willingly she would have
told him all, not trying to hide the scald-
ing tears that forced their way down
her burning cheeks. But it was too late.
Robins fears were now confirmed.
He was boarding the train for his west
ern tour when some one slapped him on
the shoulders, exclaiming, "Hello. old
pard! What's the latest from MilldaleP"
But, seeing the desperate glare in his
rivals eye, he drew back foot or two.
"You coward" groaned Robin. ''How
dare you NEEDLE with my heart and now
openly try to humlate me?' 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 conscience"
They did go back into the Office,
closed the door, and No. % went whiz-
zing around the bend short one passen-
ger.
Poor Nellie! The next few weeks were
long and empty. The spring wind, in
stead of poisoning the roses on her
checks, kissed away the flush and left
her face wan and eXpressionless. 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 every
thing about the room reflected her feel
ings.
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