Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-29
The JOneSeS' Telephone.
By ANNIE HOwELLs PRECHETTE.
copyright, $50 by the Author /

Now, we won't be selfish with our
telephone, will we, dear? We win let a
few friends use it occasionally. 1t Will
be such pleasure and a convent nee, .
and Mrs. Jones stood off and looked ad
miringly at the new telephone.
by all means. 1t j. here, and II may
as well be doing some one a serTice as
to stand idle, and l like TO feel that a
friend ism [ afraid to ask favor Of me
now and then. Yes. suppose that tele-
phone will save us many car fare dur
ing the year. You can use it to do your
marketing instead of firing yourself out
md waiting half a day three or four
times week, and days when | forget
things think how easy it will be 70 tele-
phone And remind me. Why, it will
entirely do away with the need for
strings to around my fingers.
"Of- course it will. I'm sure that
what we save on strings and car fare
will pay the rent of the instrument,
joyously responded Mrs. Jones, who had
no great head for figures.
Thus hope and kindly intentions pre-
sided at the inauguration OF the Joneses'
telephone
Three months passed, and the great
invention had carried much information
useful aud otherwise-not only to its
owners, but to the entire neighborhood.
There were even days when the Joneses
questioned whether they were not run
ming a public telephone, so often did
the bell ring 1t is true it had not quite
paid for itself in the anticipated saving
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 luxury" said Jones as he put
away the receipt for his first quarter 5
rent, especially for our friends" he
added, with Just touch of bitterness.
Scarce "a hours after this philosoph-
ical stand was taken Mrs Jones, who
was rather light sleeper, was aroused
by violent and prolonged ringing. 1t
was o'clock and Sunday morning. a
day and hour usually dedicated to undis-
turbed slumber. After brief debate i'll
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 slippers
and gown and ran down stairs. In reply
to her interrogative "Yos?" (MrS Jones
could never bring herself to say Hell
lo!') came the following in measured
and clerical tones:
1t is Mr.. Brown-Rev. Mr. Brown
speaking"
"Oh, yes:' instinctively covering her
half clad feet in the folds of her gown.
II believe you live near the Rev Mr..
Smith and are 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 service for
him, as he is called away. / would be
glad If you would send Immediately, as
l must have his answer within ) min
utes. Thank you. Please call up 1901"
and snap went the telephone
Mrs. Jones looked at her raimant and
reflected that her one servant was at
mass and would not be back for an
hour. She went slowly up stairs.
ph' AoiAi, uoAi, Wahe up.
"What is ;t?''
1.-The Rev. Brown has telephoncd 10
know whether the Rev. Smith can send
his curate to take his early service. "
"Well, what in the world have 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 3 minutes -
We'll, let Susan take it, settling
back comfortably.
But Susan has gone to mass. i"
And suppose that means that am
TO DC turned out of my bed at day break
and canter half mile!' cried Jones in
nigh and excited voice as he bounced
from his bed and began to grope sleepily
Tor his clothes His toilet was made
amid grumblings of "Confound their
early services, why can't they stay in
ped like Christians instead of prowlin,
about and sending men ont in the chilly
morning air?' etc.
Jones temper was soured for the dav.
ana that night, as he was winding his