The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-24
URGENT nIsPAroHEs

ties of the kidneys, liver and bowels
A. j. Clifford, Lowell, ass.
|
URGENT DISPATCHES.
Telegraph operators who have sent
dispatches of all kinds for years might
| be excused if they we're to show no sur
prise at any message that sould be sent.
1t is only natural that there should be
dreary routine in the work which
banishes all degree of excitement in any
thing. The writer once met telegraph
Superintendent who had handled an
electric key in all parts of this country
He had stored in his mind a fund of
"reminiscences, and as the time dragged
heavily he ratified off story after story.
| 1T was good many years ago." he
said, when L was not so old as am
now, and perhaps more sentimental, that
l won husband for a girl. l was an
operator then in town out in Ohio. l
hadn't much to do, and used TO sit in
the window a good deal to watch the
people on the station platform of the
railroad. One day | caught sight of a
young man and young woman who were
in earnest conversation. He was dressed
for travelling, and was evidently waiting
for the next train. As the time for tho
arrival of the train drew near the young
man seemed to become desperate, for bo
paced up and down the platform ner-
vously, talking very rapidly.
| Then the train came gliding in. saw
the girl shake her head and he said
something which made her turn pale.
The train had again started and he
climbed up the car steps without turn-
ing to look back. She gave little cry,
but he did not hear it; his train was
gone.
1t was two days after this that the
young woman came into the telegraph
Office, with white face and red d-tinged
eyelids. She came up to me and spoke
rapidly in frightened whisper.
want you to send a tegleram,' she
said. You must send it right away: It's
to New York and it must be delivered
before 4 o'clock this afternoon"
''She was trying to write, but her fin
| fiers trembled so that she could not guide
the pencil.
LET me write it." l said.
"oh, thank you," she answered, and
then she gave me- address. There were
just two words in the message: "COme
back"
Can you get it there before o 'clock2"
she asked breathlessly. "You must. He
steamer" Her voice faltered here.
"'Pm afraid not, l said. The differ
ence in time, you know, makes it hard
work to do that
ooh she cried, 4 forgot about the
difference in time. What shall l doP
Send two,' l said, all the while
working on my key to get my wire.
Send one to the hotel and one to the
steamer.
"She was crying now so that could
not hear her answer, but / knew what
was wanted. l never worked so hard
before or since to get messages through.
And all the while that poor girl watched
my fingers with look in her eyes that
made me swear I'd get them through if
quick work could do it."
when l turnd around finally she
drew long BREATH"
"Well," said, they are gone, and
looked at the clock. This made her
shiver.
''She would not leave the office, and as
the minutes slipped away began to feel
the dread that was reflected in her eyes.
l knew that the steamer must have
started now. felt as if had committed
murder, but she was silent and pale,
Only her look was reproachful as if had
failed her.
"Finally it came. There was click
and fash of color was in her cheek.
"'What is it? she said. Quick!
What is it p
"'It's for youp l shouted, like the boy
that was; 'hurrah he's coming for
was SO excited that forgot to give her
the message.
"Then / wrote it out for her; I'm
coming, God bless you. l was on the
steamer She cried over that bit of
yellow paper, and think that the hulk
ing country boy who gave il to her had
choking in the throat, too.
| swell, there was a wedding short
while after that. The only one knew
in the party was the bride. You know
how met her. But the country opera
tor was at that wedding, and when the
bridegroom grasped my hand he shook
it in way that hurt. He sent me a let
ter from the East afterward asking me
to come on to 60 into a big telegraph
Office where he had secured place for
me.n
81 had another experience in sending
in my younger days in which l got
greatly interested. 1t was after went
East. partly broke down and got
transferred for one summer TO q water
ing place.
zone day a digniied, well-dressed
man of middle age came hurriedly into
the Office.
"'send this at once, he said, in
strained tone.
II reached for my key, and as clicked
away to get New York | watched him.
His teeth were ground together and his
fingers clenched the rail so fiercely that
they were absolutely bloodless.
Get it. he said between his teeth.
| Get it there or am ruined
"Then saw that his dispatch was In
cipher.
/ 1When had sent the last word, he
became deathly white and leaned against
the wall family, tanning himself with
his hat. have never seen such an in
tense look of agony on a mans face as
was on his. He seemed 10 have strength
enough only TO look at his watch every
minute or two.
Ellis answer came back in cipher. He
braced himself before reading it.
"rhank God ~ he said, in a low voice,
and the next thing knew felt bill In
my hand. Before ! could cry out TO
him that would not take his money, he
was gone.
81 afterward learned that he was also
an operator--one of the heaviest opera
tors in Wall street. | often think about
my having saved millionaire from
ruin ]. Tribune.