Newport enterprise. [volume] (Newport [Del.]) 1889-1???, 1889-03-02
Corrie.
BY KATYDID.

1t was cold, gray morning in January
when Corrie Durham came to take charge
of the office at Clinton. We we're expect
ing her, but not altogether as she ap
peared, and there was some confusion
among the clerks when the trim figure of
the little telegraph girl appeared at the
window and announced.he name.
''She's darling |" "Lucky boy I"
said two voices simultaneously from a
near desk as George Howard passed
from the office into the waiting room.
"Do you not feel too wearied to work
this morning?" he asked, looking ad-
miringly at the girl "The presiding
operator leaves at noon might get
some one to relieve you to-day if you are
very tired"
"Oh, no, thank you! l slept soundly
all the way, and then am anxious to
speak to Jackie is somewhere ON this
line"
They were passing out into the open
air, and she was seized with sudden
coughing which sounded little forced
to young Howard, who, strange to say,
felt a sinking and burning near the
heart just then.
They reached the office, went in to-
gether, and Corrie, after exchanging a
few minutes conversation with the opera
tor, bade him good-by, and sat down to
the'table where two or, three instruments
were chatting away at lively speed.
''It seems so natural to be here. like
the tone of this sounder," she said, pull
ing off her gloves, and tapping the key
with what seemed to George unusually
small fingers.
The next instant she seized a blank
and was copying message that came in
quick, close dots and dashes, not too
swift for her pen, however, judging from
the way it raced across the sheet.
go K-C-CN," said Corrie, as soon
as the instrument was still, meaning all
right, and giving her private letter as
well as those. of the office.
''Who 2" ticked the inquisitive
sounder.
"Corrie," wrote the little white fingers.
"Pretty name. Glad have on our
wire. work the key from 9 till I2-B
glad hear often," said the invisible
operator.
"Thanks," said Corrie. "Good-
morning."
"Here's another" ticked the Emporium
ate instrument; ''eighty-seven words"
Her pen seemed to take wings and fly
across the page while copying the tele-
gram.
'Ha hal" she laughed. "He thought
he would rush me, but Pm no plug
please pardon me, Mr.. Howard ! That
word is hardly considered slang on the
wire. 1t is a peculiar dialect of opera
tors; plug is word that all beginners
understand"
'Isitl" he asked, and laughing little,
arose to leave.
''You must come in again." she said.
He thanked her, and touching his hat,
passed out.
On going back to the office, many
were the queries of the clerks concern
ing "the little telegraph girl" as she was
ever afterward called. He answered them
all good-naturedly.
''Her face is as round as ball." said
a last years umpire. ''T like the way she
looks at you, too, with her big brown
eyes-I'm struck, he candidly affirmed,
winking mischievously at one of his com.
rades.
Howard's lips grew firm under the
blonde mustache, and presently there
was lull in the conversation.
His dreams we're all delightful tha
night, and the morning found him un
usually early at his post. He called upor
Corrie that evening and the next, ane
the two soon became fast friends.
One day, about a week after he
arrival, he fonnd her decorating he
room.
''Come and help me-" she said. I"
want these curtains up, and Pm not tai
enough to reach to the top of the window
you are-you'd make good ladder"
'.Yes," he said, laughing, ~ would
and Pm glad of it; shouldn't like to b.
looked down on"