Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-02-07
SPIRIT FINGERS AT THE KEY.


telegraph operator, considered one OF
the best in the profession, left this city
for n better position at Omaha, says
the Indianapolis Journal. He was
rouud-faced good-natured young fel-
low. and great fayorite with all VINO
knew him, very neat in his personal
appearance, being always dressed III
the latest and best that fashion dietat-
ed. He was without bad habits, aud
correct aud business-like in all his
dealings.
The other day Journal reporter
was stopped by the extended hand OF
a dilapidated specimen OF humanity,
who. with strange qnaver in his voice,
asked if the reporter did not recognize
him. Without waiting for the reply in
the negative which he saw in the un-
responsive glance OF the reporter he
introduced himself as the dapper little
telegrapher of other days. Suspect
ing this as preface to u demand for a
cash contribution, the newspaper man
was putting his hand into his pocket,
when the seedy man interposed ges-
ture of dissent. Il am not asking for
cent; the boys have staked me, and /
have a railroad ticket that takes me to
the old home in western New York. |
lust stopped over few hours to see
two or three of the people who knew
me in 1881 and 1882. leave tonight.
The reporter could not restrain an
impulse to ask what had brought about
so great change in the appearance Of
his whilom acquaintance. We'll, be
replied, with some hesitation. 1t wasn't
spirits, ut least not ardent spirits. for
never INDUCED 10 any extent ia liquor.
Ii was spirits OF very different kind.
don't know that they ever meant me
any harm. but they have about ruined
me as telegrapher. There's one now.
Don't you hear the sounder2 II. c.
II. G.'-P. e.. that's my call. I'LL Just
answer them rs that means busy.
Perhaps they'll let me alone until tell
my story.
II never knew anything about spir-
tualism. never cared anything about 10,
aud ali at once, six years ago. without
any asking or desire on my part,
found myself to be- possessed Of the
strangest and most distressing medium
istic powers. had friend Of abou,
my own age; we had learned telegraphy
together in Cleveland and had always
been very intimate. About the time
| went 70 Omaha he went to Cheyenne.
| We kept up correspondence by letter
/ and wire, but after while lie got ia
/ the habit Of taking an occasional spree.
/ He was a delicate, sensitive fellow, and
/ on SOLDERING up would be the most
melancholy chap imaginable. Iii.
| sprees become more aud more frequent.
his tits Of depression deeper. One day.
following prolonged debauch. he dis.
/ appeared from Cheyenne. One Of the
boys knowing our intimacy. tclegraphed
me to know II he had come to Omaha.
II was exactly 1920 at night as wa,
taking the message of the wires whet
/ / heard the sOunder on an old and dis
connected instrument, one that III,
boys about the Office had played with
humping away, p. G.-'P. G.f--'P
G. answered 'iS' mechanically OF
my own iustrument-'W What's the mat
terp'-and the sounder thumped gu
the information that he (my friend,
had passed over only minute or two
before, and that | would find out al
about it three or four days later in TN
SAT- Francisco papers. II was nj
strange to me. incomprehensible. A
first | thought that Billy was playin,
some sort OF trick on inc. but Their
was the old disconnected instrument
and no chance Of any hocas-pocus o
that kind. On the fifth day thcreafte
/ got hold Of a Frisco paper. in whici
was the notice Of the death OF an uu
known man, supposed to be about 2
years old. at the third-raLe hotel, aut
the coroner's verdict death from ca
cessiYe use of alcoholic drinks and OK
posture. As was reading this ia
sonnder started up again. You got III
papers, it ratified away. The coroue
was right. Great roundup for youn
man, wasn't it9n
II didn't like the carelessness OF III
remark continued the operator. ''ar
said as much, when the old sound
took it up and continued with eve
greater recklcssness. Billy had 4
ways been, even at his worst conside
ate OF the feelings Of others. He hp
the instincts OF gentleman, but ri
parently after he passed over he b
came lost to all decency and all regal
for the feelings and welfare of hi
who had been his best friend viii
here in the flesh. He kept up such
racket in the Omaha office that he /
terfered with my business. and the
was no shutting him of. After tin
he began to bring in other operate
who had passed over and then Won
better believe had time Of il. Son
Of these were disreputable fellow
and most OF them were Of class tn
no self-respecting operator on ear
would care to associate with. | Fri,
to keep straight, quit drink entirel
but they brought bad atmosphe
about me and my acquaintance beg.
to cut me. My work at the office /
came mixed in spite of all that cou
do. for the spirits soon got tired Of t
J old sounder and came over to the II
line.
The consequence was that / W
discharged. didn't feel very sor
about it Mt first. / had saved up
hundred dollars or so and made up Il
mind to keep away from the click
, the instrument entirely for month
|. SO and give the spirits chance
faSten ON some olhpr NOR onprafot