News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-09-06
BRAVE GIRL TELEGRAPHERS.
On Duty at Night in Out-ofthe- way
Offices at Texas Stations.
From the Galveston News.1

Some days ago reporter had occasion
to use a telegraph line in sending a re-
port to the paper. 1t was long after
midnight, and the nearest Western
Union wire was good mile and half
from the town in which he was located.
The telegraph Office was found to be in
a railroad block station, situated in one
of the loneliest and bleakest parts of the
country through which the road passed.
No dwelling houses were within calling
distance, and the entire surroundings
were of the most uninviting aud forbid
ding kind. The Office itself was but
small frame building utterly devoid of
any means of defence from intruders,
and the country round about was infest-
ed with tramps.
The reporter knocked at the door, and
receiving no answer, knocked again,
with the same result. Finally, after a
third summons, a window was opened
and feminine voice timidly inquired,
"Who's there?''
The surprise of the newspaper man
can be better imagined than described.
The idea of woman being in charge
of an office in such dismal place seem
ed almost preposterous. He, however,
explained his mission, and after little
delay was admitted by delicate girl,
who appeared to be hardly older than
IS.
Ihe little room was as neat and clean
as new pin. The floor was as white as
scrubbing brush could make it. On
the walls were tastefully pinned num-
Der OF pretty advertising cards. A glass
on table near by contained bunch of
flowers, and comfortable, homelike air
pervaded the whole room, so entirely
different from the average country rail
road station with its foul odors of bad
tobacco and oil. When the last word of
the message was out the reporter ques-
toned the young lady upon her work.
eyes, " she said, ''this company has
lady operators at night in all their offices |
as far east as the mountains. My office |
is not as lonely as some of the places up |
in the mountains, where the girls do not |
have an opportunity to talk to anybody |
from the time the leave the train at 6 |
o'clock in the evening until they return
the next morning. 1t is an awful place
even here sometimes. Not train will !
pass for hours at time in the morning,
and we must walk the floor to keep
awake. At first 1 thought 1 would
never be able to stand it, but it is grow
ing easier now. At the beginning was
lfraid of every sound. We form odd
friends at such times. The best 1 have
ire the mice, who come out of their
loles and eat the crumbs 1 leave on the
ioor for them. They are good company
when there is nothing better"
81 should think that the company
would give the lady operators day
,ffices," we said.
"Well, it does not. They give the
Easy positions to the men. The only
reason can give for that, since you ask
ior it, is that young ladies are more |
careful, and do not go to sleep like the |
lazy men do, and pile up wreck in
front of the office
Good gracious! yes. They are the
l,, aJ for or t6er, toneebI, soij sie r,,I; 81 f
same time glancing at loaded revolver,
which had until then lain unnoticed |
within reach of her hand. ''I bad to |
lse it once or twice. did not want to |
hoot the man and only fired to scare
lim.'
"Have you had any odd experiences
While at this Office ?''
"There was one," she answered 81
will never forget. 1t was one of the
oldest nights of last winter. Rain had
allen the night before, and toward even
ng it had grown colder. After midnight
he thermometer was down below zero,
nd high wind was raging. About 2
clock in the morning somebody rap
ed at the door. 1 did not notice it at
rst, as knew it was only a tramp.
)ne had been lettering around all day
nd had insulted me the night before,
nd I thought it was the same one come
ack again. He kicked the door again,
nd I raised window and asked him
That he wanted. He said he wanted to
ONE in, and if he did not get in he
yould break in the door. Then he
egan to swear at me. told him to go
way, and that l would not admit him.
hat made him more angry.
',He beat and kicked the door until
hought he would break it down. Then
e tried all the windows, and finally
ame back to the door again. No train
ad passed for an hour before. None
ad left the city, and tho nearest tele.
raph Office was two miles away. l
ulled out the drawer to get my revol-
er. 1t was gone. Then remembered
aving left it at home that night to have
t repaired. The man was knocking
way at the door, and every moment l
hought would be my last. l knelt
own and prayed for assistance. The
nan at the door had grown quieter, and
to beg me to let him in.
Great God, lady he said to me, Il am
reezing, and if you don't let me in you
7ill find me dead here in the morning.
81 opened the window again and
legged him to leave, but he only contin-
ed to plead for admittance. His voice
ad grown weaker, and sounded so pitt
ul that 1 finally went down stairs to
he door. [ wanted to let him in, and
ct / was afraid.
cat last unlocked the door and turned
he knob. The door of itself flew back
n its hinges, and there fell in upon me
ne OF the dirtiest, meanest, and worst
boxing tramps that I had ever seen.
lis clothes were covered with mud and
is face looked terribly fierce. l
creamed, and turned to run away to es-
ape him, when he caught hold of both
f my hands and fell on his knees be-
ore me, and then and there poured forth
me of the most beautiful prayers have
yer heard. 1t was so pathetic and full
# thankfulness at times.
clears were streaming down his
beeks. and he kissed my hands repeat
div. saving had saved his life. l re-
ented and told him to come up stairs to
he stove, but half way up the stairs he
melt and prayed ngain. He lay down
" the fire for a while, and after he had
ecomo warmed, he told me the story of
is Efe-how he had become drunkard
nd deserted his home. He said he had
OF eaten anything for two days, so ]
ave him my lunch. 1 kept him here
or couple of hours and then sent him
Vest on freight. Every time think
that man and that night feel better,
Though everybody said L was foolish
, let him in when told the story at
ome."
A Sn,.,nnr, To Husbands