The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-09

when he did he found six other lads
about his own age wa ting to inter
view the lady manager
One by one they were called into
the mysterious on &c behind the rail
and talked to. Pennies turn came
last OF all Whether Mrs. darkness
was pleased by his manner or whether
it was because he came last and the
others had tired her out Bennie never
knew. But after a very few cues
tions he was engaged at Il weekly
salary Of $3.50 and the privilege Of
learning telegraphy during odd mo-
menus. Never was a messenger more
faithful. Never was there a mere
marked exception 10 the prOveTbial
siOWness of the class. and never was
there a student Of the art more apt
than the youth that this little tale is
all about
The 'learning telegraphy" part Of
M ;. Harkness's bargains had been
found by former messengers t. e
more or less OF a delusiOn and a snare,
but for once at least she took an ac-
tnaI interest in a student" In less
than two months, under her careful
guidance, Bonnie had transmitted
his first message. and it wasn't long
after that, being left alone for time
in the O1ice. that he answered the re-
peated calls OF .sKn," and actually
received Il message all alone, s'break-
ing'' only three times. 1t was excit-
ing work, though From that time
his progress was rapid Mrs Hark-
ness found that sac was able to 90
away quite frequently for several
hours and leave Bonnie in sole charge,
and ne obtained quite 4 reputation
up and down the line as the youngest
mr. cir iE
to belies G that MIS-. Grant was proud
Of her son But when school opened
again ia the autun II it took long
time for Bennie to convince her that
it was much better for him to keep
on contributing to the support OF the
family his family he had come to
call it, and gather his education "A
actual service, than it wis to waste
time over books He finally did con
vince her, however, much to the de-
light Of Mrs. Hardness.
One afternoon while Bennie-theY
called him s.Bn" on the Wire-was
finishing up the regular evenings
grlst of messages. Mrs Hardness, who
was working on another wire. came
over to his table and laid this mes
sage before him:
Dispatcher OnHce. Roehesport. 6 p. N.
Mrs. Hardness. Mgr. KIN.
sick and my regular men are an on duty 1
need a at FOlyile 10 night Can your
-Bn- go2 If so wire me qui and send
him NJ On train No. IL. This message viii
pass him A r. Lane.
Dispatcher. O. X 7. R. r.
''Do you suppose that I can do it?"
Queried Bonnie, anXiOusly-
''Why. Of course you can. dear"
answered Mrs Hardness, smiling
proudly upon her clever pupil.
but l never was 10 a railroad teie-
graph oIice in my life"
mo matter Keep your wits about
you and you won't have any trouble
No II is due at $50 You have
thirty minutes. Now 20 trOt hume
and have your mother put you up a
good lunch. Good night and good
lu X to you" and Mrs Hardness
turned to her work again. 50 the
dispatcher received a message which
relieved him considerably and Bonnie
sped on his way
1t was after 9 when he stepped
from No a upon the platform at
Eolville. The Cd station agent
breathed a sigh Of relief when Benin e
handed him the dispatcher's mes
sage though he looked rather askance
ut the diminutive figure OF our young
friend
stMy night man has been sick q
week. he said, and I've worked
night and day for forty-eight hours
now I couldn't keep awake another
twelve hours if trains all had To stop
running"
ssCan I handle the work ali right.
! do you rbiuks" Querled anxious "Bn. =