Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-04-03
THE OPERATOR.

moyen-Cert station, Where my 1rlenu Len
fileur awaited me with his carriage.
While on the train suddenly recollected
something that required immediate atten-
ton at Paris. Upon my arrival at Baisen-
moyen-Cert | went to the telegraph office
to send back a message.
This station differed from others of its
class because of the total lack of writing
materials.
After a prolonged exploration l finally
succeeded in capturing rusty pen, dipping
it in some colorless, Shiny fluid. With
heroic effort succeeded in daubing down
the few words of my telegram. A decidedly
unprepossessing woman grudgingly took
the dispatch, counted it and named the
rate, which Immediately paid.
With the relieved conscience of having
fulfilled duty l was about to walk out
when my attention was attracted by
young lady at one of the tables manipulat-
ing Morse key. With slight hauteur
she turned her back toward me.
Was she young? Probably. She certainly
was red haired. Was she pretty? Why not'
Her simple black dress advantageously dis.
played a round, agreeable form; her luXuri-
ant hair was arranged so as to reveal few
ringlets and splendid white neck. And
suddenly mad, inexplicable desire to plant
kiss upon those golden ringlets seized me
In the expectation that the young lady
would turn round, stopped and asked the
elderly woman a few questions anent tele
| graph affairs. Her answers were not at all
friendly.
The other woman, however, did not stir.
Whoever supposes that l did not go to
the telegraph office the next morning does
| not know me.
The pretty, red haired one was alone this
time.
Now she was compelled to show her face,
and, sapristil | could not complain.
Ipurchased some telegraph stamps, wrote
several messages, asked u number of non.
senscal questions and played the part of a
chump with amazing fidelity.
She responded calmly, prudently, in the
manner of clever, self possessed and polite
little woman.
And came daily, sometimes twice day,
for knew when she would be alone.
To give my calls a reasonable appearance
wrote innumerable letters to my friends
and telegraphed to an army of bare ac.
quaintances lot of impossible stuff. So it
was rumored in Paris that / had suddenly
become deranged
Every day said to myself, To-day, my
boy, you must make a declaration" But
her cold manner suppressed upon my lips
the words, "Mademoselle, love you"
invariably confined myself to stammer-
ing.
BE kind enough to give me 3-sou
stamp"
The situation gradually became unbear-
able
As the day for my return approached /
resolved to burn my ships behind me and
to venture all to win everything.
l. ,,,+ 4 Id 4
lowing message:
"Coquelin, II Boulevard Haussman, Paris:
II am madly in love with the little red
haired telegraph operator at Baisenmoyen-
Cert"
tremblingly handed her the telegram.
| expected at least that her beautiful
white complexion would effulge.
But mol
Not a muscle relaxedl In the calmest
manner in the world she said:
"Fifty-nine centimes, please"
Thoroughly nonplussed by this queenly
serenity, l fumbled about in my pockets for
the coin.
But | could not find sou. From my
pocketbook / took a thousand franc note
and gave it to her.
She took the bank note and scrutinized It
carefully.
The examination terminated favorably,
for her face was suddenly wreathed in
smiles, and she burst into charming ripple
of infectious laughter, displaying her mar
velously handsome teeth.
And then the pretty young mademoiselle
asked in Partisan cadence, "Do you want
the change the French of Alphonse
Allats in New York Journal.