News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-11-16
THE JONESES' TELEPHONE.
BY ANNIE HOWELLs FRECHETTE.

BY ANNIE HOWELLs FRECHETTE.
"Now, we won't be selfish with our
telephone, will we, dear? We will let
a few friends use it occasionally-it
will be such a pleasure and con-
venience," and Mrs. Jones stood off
and looked admiringly at the new
telephone.
"By all means. It is here, and it
may as well be doing some one a ser
vice as to stand idle-and | like to
feel that a friend isn't afraid to ask
a favor of me now and then. Yes, [
suppose that telephone will save us
many a car-fare during the year.
You can Use it to do your marketing,
instead of firing yourself out and
wasting half a day three or four
times a week; and days when | for
get things, think how easy it will be
to telephone and remind me. Why,
it will entirely do away with the need
of strings to tie around my fingers" ;"
"Of course it will. / am sure that
what we'll save on strings and car
fares will pay the rent of the instru-
ment," ioyously responded Mrs.
Jones, who had no great head for
figures.
Thus hope and kindly intentions
presided at the Inauguration of the
Joneses' telephone.
Three months passed, and the
great invention had carried much
intormatiOn-useful and otherwise
not only to it's owners, but to the
entire neighorhood as WELL There
were days when the Joneses question
ed whether they were not running a
public telephone, So often did the bell
ring. 1t is true, it had not quite
paid for itself in the anticipated saw
ing of car-fares and finger-strings
still, it had certainly been a great
comfort, and" Well, We'll just face
the music and call it a luxury" said
Jones, as he put away the receipt for
his first quarters rent; Especially
for our friends" he added, with Just a
touch of bitterness.
Scarce twenty-foRr hours after this
philosophical stand vas taken Mrs.
Jones, who was rather light sleeper,
was aroused by violent and prolong-
ed ringing. 1t was six O'Clock and
Sunday mOrning-a day and hour
usually dedicated to undisturbed
slumber. After a brief debate in her
own mind as to whether the house
was on fire or the milkman was ring
ing, she realized that it was the tele-
phone bell. She hastily donned her
slippers aud gown, and ran down
stairs. In reply to her interrogative
"Yes?" (Mrs. Jones could never
bring herself to say "HellO!'') came
the following in measured and cleri-
cal tones
cit is Mr.. Brown-Rev. Mr.. Brown
speaking"
"Oh, yes?" instinctively covering
her half-clad feet in the folds of her
gown.
Il believe you live near Rev. Mr..
Smith, and are q member of his
church."
eyes"
"Will you be good enough to send
TO him and ask if he can spare his
curate to take Mr.. Browns early ser
vice for him, as he is called away? l
would be glad if you would send
Immediately, as | must have his
answer within fifteen minutes. Thank
you. Please call up 1,001," and
snap went the telephone.
Mrs. Jones looked at her raiment
and reflected that her one servant
was at mass and would not be back
for an hour. She went slowly up
stairs.
"Tom, Tom, dear, wake up"
"What is it?"
"The Rev. Mr.. Brown has teIe-
phoned to know whether the Rever-
end Smith can send his curate to
take his early service"
"WelI, what in the world have l
got to do with the peddling out of
early services?' snapped Jones, as
he turned and shook up his pillows.
"He has to have an answer to his
message within fifteen minutes"
"Well, let Susan take it," settling
back comfortably.
"But Susan hes gone to mass"