St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-09
BRAVE GIRL TELEGRAPHERs.
On Duty at Night in Out'Of-the
Way Offices at Texas Stations.

dina AAhNAhOs
On Duty at Night in Out.of-the
Way Offices at Texas Stations.
Galveston News.
Some days ago reporter had occa-
sion to use a telegraph line in sending a
report 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 and for
bidding kind. The Office itself was but
a small frame building, utterly devoid
of any means of defense from intruderS,
and the country round was infested 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 a 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 seemed
almost preposterous. He, however, eX-
planned his mission, and after little
delay was admitted by delicate girl,
who appeared to be hardly older than
eighteen.
The little'room was as neat and clean
as new pin. The floor was as white
as a scrubbing brush could make it. On
the walls were tastefully pinned num-
Der of pretty advertising cards. n glass
on table near by contained bunch of
flowers, and a comfortable, home-like
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.
Yes" she said, this company has
lady operators at night in all its
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 any body from the time they leave
the train at o'clock in the evening
until they return the next morn
ing. 1t is an awful place even
here sometimes. Not a train will
pass for<hourS at time in the morning,
and we must walk the floor to keep
awake. At first l thought l would
never be able to stand it, but it is grow
ing easier now. At the beginning
was afraid of every sound. We form
odd friends at such times. The best
have are the mice, who come out of
their holes and eat the crumbs l leave
on the floor for them. They are good
company when there is nothing better"
Il should think that the company
would give the lady operators day Of
fees" we said.
.Well, it does not. They give the
easy positions to the men. The only
reason can give for that, since you
ask for it. is that young ladies are more
careful, and do not go to sleep like the
lazy men do, aud pile up a wreck i'll
front of the Office"
Are you not afraid of tramps?"
Good gIaciousl yes. They are the
bane of our existence. We are pre-
pared for them, thought" said she, at
the same time glancing at loaded re-
yOlyer. which had until then lain I'M
noticed within reach of her hand. Il
had to use it once or twice. l did not
want to shoot the man, and only fired to
scare him."
''Have you had any odd experience
while at this Officer"
''There was one" she answered, 81
will never forget. 1t was one eff the
coolest nights of last winter. Rain had
fallen the night before, and toward
evening it had grown colder. After
midnight the thermometer was down
below zero, and Il high wind was rag
ing. About 2 o'clock in the morning
somebody raped at the door. Ibid not
notice il at first, as / knew it was only a
tramp. One had been lettering around
all dav. and had lnsulted me the night
before. and / thought it was the same
one come back again. He kicked the
door again. and ] raised window and