The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-02
TIE BARRICADE.
Tho Trouble It Caused tho Opera
tor at Louvillo.

Tho Trouble It Caused tho Opera
tor at Louvillo.
Tho station agent at Louyillc sal
with his feet on tho window sifl, hands
plunged into his pockets and acowl
upon his face. Ills eyebrows were
straight and tho scowl brought them
down into long line across his fore.
head; this, with his heavy niustache,
made him look quite fierce
Ever and anon he would glance az an
inoffcnsive little yellow paper lying on
his desk Each time no did SO the
acowi grew fiercer Finally he let hin
chair down with a bang. snatched at
the telegram, and, for tho fiftlcth limo,
reads
SAMUEL w. TurrLr;
The Y Il Z manager has appointed Miss
Laura Waicott as assistant telcgrapher 1t your
station win be there on Wednesday
IN W., Secretary .
Then he crumpled II up and tossed II
into the waste basket
II won't stand III" he growled.
They have no right 70 treat me 90.
Why did | ask for m assistant at all2
Idioti''
With this consoling remark he paced
Ap and down the large, bare room. A
man in the lonely position OF station
agent Is apt to contract the habit OF
talking TO himself
A womani" he said, pausipg In the
midst Of the room and running his
fingers through his hair with inartistio
results. Here all the time, and no
respite for mol ia have 10 keep on
company manners eternaliy chairs
on four legs. no smoking. couldn't
even whistle, ! suppose. have mn
idea that women always have head
achesl'
He paused and contemplated tho ait
nation again. 1t was too much
''l'll resign firstr' he cried; and Inn
mediately licked of message to that
effect.
In an hour back camo the answer:
''Nonsensei Can't let you of What
has struck your
he said II very low. lie sat bolt up
right for quite while, and then q
wicked smile crept into his face.
II believe I'll be ready for Miss VOL
colt when she arrives I'll not be dis
turbed by her presence, either"
This rather enigmatical remark was
explained tho next morning, whom, In
obedience TO orders from Mr. futile,
two carpenters put in appearance mt
the Louville station, and before noon
had constructed across the middle OF
the large room, where he had held
sway 50 long, high board fence Of
aggrcssively yellow pine
After their departure Mr.. futile
walked among the Rhavings with sat
isfied air. He moved all his belongings
TO one side Of the novel division line.
aud for tho next two days worked
away, again a happy man.
On Thursday morning Laura VOL
colt stepped off the express and came
towards him with good will shining
from her brown eyes She was a hap
py little thing, who. in her brief strug-
gle for existence, had learned to make
the best Of conditions; so It was with
q most CHEEKY smile that she unsus-
pectingly extended her hand to her
sworn cncmy.
To tell the truth, Samuel futile was
rather taken abaclS, and felt slightly
ashamed; he had somehow expected
she would know Of his antagonistic
feeling, and met him in a suitably dis
tant manner. There was no backing
ont, however; so he led her around TO
the door opening into her half Of the
room, and said:
This Is y0~r Office; you will find
everything in place" Then, with q
stir bow. he reiterated to his own do
minion, without daring 70 glance at
her
She stood still as he retreated, with
a puzzled expression in her eyes; then
she heard him on the other side, max
ing good deal Of racket getting set
tied Finally. faint blue curl Of
smoke rose over the fence.
At this, Miss Wolcott sat down with
look Of dawning intelligence, mixed
with a hurt expression, upon her pink
and-white face. as she saw the fence
was now one. The smile grew CO she
grasped the situation. until there was
. network Of dinples around her
mouth; she nodded her head sagely in
the directionNof the fence. and set to
work quietly.
Mr.. futile, for his part. wondered
what she was doing TO keepso still; the
novelty Of the situation perplexed him
so that he could not enjoy his solitude.
Along in the afternoon his curiosity
made it imperative that be should
consult her about message. sd he
sauntered around to her door. She
greeted bin with the same CHEEKY
smile, appearing utterly oblivious TO
any strangeness In the situation, and
innoccntly gazed straight up into bis
eyes Whom there was no longer tho
siightest pretext for his staying, he
went back. Somehow his side looked
forlorn and disordcrly. and he awk-
wardly tried to put Il 70 rights