The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-23
THE THRILL ALONG THE WIRE.
The Singular Statement of an Experienced
Telegraph Operator.
from the New York Sun

7 am not a scientific man. l have
never studied physiology. know
little of the theoretical science of cleo
tricity. Notwithstanding the last con-
fession l am a telegraph operator, and
have been one for the last eighteen
years.
What 7 have undertaken to do IS
simply to make plain, unvarnished
statement Of certain facts growing out
of NV knowledge of practical tele-
graphy which appear to me remark
able-almost incredible-and to ask an
explanation of them.
Early 10 my experience as tele-
prapher I came to notice that, at GER
tain periods, peculiar and unaccoun-
table delight accompanied the perfor-
nance of my work while, generally
speaking, it was irksome enough to
me, a young operator. So frequently
and so suddenly did these remarkable
transitions from labor to delight take
place that began to ask myself for an
explanation of the mystery. The most
plausible theory appeared to be either
that I was feeling particularly well
when I found my work a source Of so
much pleasure, and the contrary when
it became irksome or that it all de-
pended upon the efficiency or deficiency
of the operator at the other end OF the
wire. But soon the first hypothesis
was proven to be false, and not long
afterward the falsity ofthe second was
also established.
One day I lay on a cot in my office,
i'll with county fever. Hearing the
office call, I staggered to the instru-
ment and answered. The effort al
most caused me to faint. My pulse
bounded, and my head throbbed with
acute pain. But, to, my utter aston
ishment, I felt wonderfully better the
instant began receiving the message.
I was even tempted, after taking the
train order, to send of half dozen
messages, accumulated since morning,
and which had not been transmitted
because of my illness; but again, to
my amazement, had no sooner touched
the key than I became utterly lncapac-
itated. My head throbbed worse than
ever and again I felt myself about to
faint. Thus vanished my first theory.
Not long after the incident just re-
lated. I discovered these facts: First,
it Invariably filed me with delight to
receive from that particular operator
whose "N1orse" had temporarily cured
me of the fever; but to send to him or
to any other operator, was to expert
ence only a uniform amount Of lafor,
diminished or increased by ordinary
circumstances.
Secondly, the operator in question
was by no means good one. In fact
he was quite new to the business, and
was what is known as a plug" AS
compared with older and better tele-
graphers on the same circuit, his
writing was abominable. He sent
viciously fast, did no spacing, formed
his letters badly, and lacked that
irmness and steadiness Of stroke so es-
sential in careful and intelligent work.
Thus I, in common with all who
worked with him, was obliged to guess
at much that he sent, while it never
failed to put me to my trumps to keep
up with his lightning speed.
And yet there invariably came over
me that sense of dreamy pleasure, so
delightful, 50 strange, so opposed to
every attendant condition or circum-
stance, whenever it became my fortune
to receive from him. And so vanished
my second theory.
One day 1 said to him, over the
wire, "lt always makes me glad to
take you
"Do you mean it," said he.
answered affirmatively.
"The more am I pleased,' he re-
piled, "since all the others cdrse me.
And do YOU know, he continued, "that
/ find L peculiar and unaccountable
pleasure in taking from you: l have
been on the point of telling you so
more than once"
That night / wrote to him, describing
my feelings when receiving from him,
and asking al exchange of confidence.
In his reply, which was promptly re-
ceived, he said: ''When YOU are send