Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-11-07
her TEs-woRD MESSAGE.
An Instance Where an Atte,apf 90 skel-
efenize Was False Economy.

EtSatAl vas 4NrJ E&*A8fAf@
Mr.. Blodgett twirled the slip OF yell
low paper thoughtfully around between
his thumb and forefnger, and when
he looked up Mrs. Blodgett saw that
he Was about TO communicate some
thing of considerable importance.
Caroline he said, +it isn't often
that find fanlt with you because of
your expenditures. like 10 see you
dress well and keep the houss up in
good style. and I never begrudge you
the necessary funds. Now, do II"
And Mrs. Rlodgett admitted he never
did.
''3ut there is one thing do kick
about" went on Ms. Blodgett, ''and
that is the literal throwing away of
money. Listen to this last Telegram
you sent me, and tell me what you
think of it, viewing it in the light of
common sense"
Dear Robert-Come directly up to
the house from the depot. have in
pited SOME friends for ] o'clock dinner.
Joey had tooth extracted yesterday.
Your loving wife. CAROLINE
..Of course l was glad to see our
friends at dinner, and it was all right
about Joey's tooth, but l should have
appreciated it just as much if you had
not wasted so much money IN telling
me about it. l don't mind the money
so much, but do hate TO give it to the
telegraph company. Hereafter, Caro-
line, when you find it necessary to send
a telegram, limit your message to ten
words. It's a very easy matter TO ex-
press yourself with that number of
words If You only think So.
Then Mr.. Blodgett went to st. Louis
on business. He had been there three
days and had pushed his schemes so
,energetically that a meeting with sew
.eral gentlemen at the Planters hotel
on the evening of the fourth day would
in all probability bring the deal TO a
successful issue. Several hours before
the time of his appointment he re
ceived a telegram ffop' Mrs. Blodgett.
thread:
Fire Sam frightened Joey badly
hurt no one escaped uninjured."
Mr.. Blodgett pored over the un.
punctuated message for several min.
utes. 1t Fas decided puzzle. At last
his anxious mind evolved this out o.
the chaos:
Fire. Sam frightened. Joey badly
hurt. No one ezcapes uninjured."
Then his fatherly heart was troubled
at the thought Of his little boys lyins
at deaths door and the wife of hi.
manhood passing into eternity withou
his being there. He hastily scribbleC
notes Of explanation to his business as
sociates, and took the first train TO
Chicago.
His pulse throbbed wildly, and tear
coursed down his cheeks as be neare
his home, and when ne saw that tn
house, at least externally, was nc
quite so bad as represented. He le
himself in and hurried upstairs. Hi
wife was in her room. He clasped he
in his arms and wept aloud.
THANK heaven. you are not badl
hurt" he cried. Where are th
children"
'.Out in the yard playing" she sait
''Why. what on earth ails you?''
'Out playing so soon?" he saiC
"What did you mean by this?" and b
gave her the telegram.
.'Why, just what it says she r.
piled. Fire. Sam frightened Joe
badly. Hurt no one. Escaped uni
jured.' II hadn't wished to confin
myself to ten words should have sal
that the fire was afoupd the corne
that Sam frightened Joey with ne
false face, and that all escaped III
injured, but | had to leave out word
! thought you'd understand it q
right Chicago Tribune.