The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-06

Western Union Telegraph COMPANY
tho c;tv of Disapolis, sat in his o1lce
ono afternoon, wnen there was prought
to him the card Of lady. Most Oh MI
Sandvs' visitors were masculine, and the
manager. a grizzled man of 80, arched
his brows in surprise as he glanced at
the card.
"Ask the young lady to come m' ne
said briefly. He whirled round IN NE
swivel chair and rose from it as sweet
faced girl entered, dressed in biacK' her
whole attire having neatness as It's
distinguishing characteristic. Pausng
for a moment at the door, she came
swiftly forward to him, extending ner
hand.
"I don't suppose you will remember
me. Mr.. Sandys," she began somewhat
breathlessly, "but l thought-perhaps-
The manager interrupted her, speak
ing in kindly tones.
"Indeed. Miss Elinor, l remember you
very we'll, although you were only
little girl when l last saw you. You
have been so long at school and abroad
that a man might well be excused II ne
failed to recognize you. Many things
have happened since last we met, you
know"
The manager was laconlc man. anu
he now spoke at greater length tnah
was his custom, for he saw that MS WIS
itor had evidently keyed herself up to
this interview, and was scarcely able 10
conceal her agitation. A glance at the
dark costume she wore recalled to Els
mind the recent death Of her father, and
then he felt that his last remark 1ad
been somewhat infelicitous, but beius
an unready man, and not knowing now
to remedy it, he made no attempt to DO
SO. contenting himself by pushing for
ward a chair, and asking the girl to SIT
down.
When Miss McClintoch had seated her
self Sandys resumed his position IN the
swivel chair somewhat uneasily, and for
a few moments there was silence ne
tween them.
Eyes" she said 1t last, not locking at
him, speaking in 81 low voice ana Try
ing to keep commaul over it, many
things have happened since then.
came home to find my father dying. and
since his death we have learned uDt-
less every one in the city knows 1t now
how disastrous had been his transac-
tions on the board Of trade. l have no
doubt the worry caused by his fear OF
leaving mother and me unprovlded lot
did much to hasten his death.
Mr.. Sandys, not knowing what to say,
murmured that probably this was so.
..It is now three months since father s
DEATH continued the girl, land imme-
d;ately after mother and l moved to q
small cottage on 10th street, where we
now live, and today l resolved to come
up here and have business talk Will
you, Mr.. Sandys.'
For the first time since she sat down
the girl looked up at him, and ne sa"
that her eyes were wet, and that she
was trying to force faint smile to her
tremulous lips.
81 found l had to earn my own living,
and so two months ago | bought teie-
eraph instrument and learned telegraph
ing" :. -,
"But surely" said Mr.. Sandys, with
your accomplishments you do not neeo
to be a telegraphist."
"My accomplishments, although ex-
pensive to buy, are not very saleable on
the market"
"My dear Elinor,'' said the man
ager, ''telegraphing is the very last pro-
fession / would advise young lady TO
take up. / warn everybody against teie-
graphing. I never open a morning pa
per but l expect to see an account OF
some new invention that will abollsn
telegraphy altogether. In fact, when
the telephone was perfected / rather ex-
pected it would render us all supernu-
ous. and | am not sure but that eventu-
allv will be the case, for the long dts-
lance telephone is only in its infancy.
What on earth caused you to learn teleg-
raphyY' -,
II will confess the reason with a
frankness / ought to be ashamed o.
said the girl. with a real smile this time.
II learned it because my fathers oioest
friend is manager of the Western Union
Telegraph company in this city"
so, see," said the manager, with a
twinkle in his eye. you thought l
would give you situationw
81 knew you would, Mr.. Sandys," re-
piled the girl confidently. Her certainty
did not seem to be Shared Dy the nah
ager, who knitted his brow and
drummed neryously on the desk with
his fingers. -.
"You said moment since that thus
was a business visit. Now, Miss Elinor,
do you want me to talk to you as
business man would talk to an appli-
cant, or am I to treat you as the daugh-
ter of valued and regretted friend Z!
From now on" cried the girl eagerly
"this is straight business. | only relied
on your friendship LOT my father to
gain me admittance here"
Every well, then. l will begin by say
ing that the woods are full of teleg-
raphers. Up to certain point, 1T
seems to me that telegraphers are as
common as the sands on the seashore;
beyond that point telegraphers are few.
1t is like shorthand, and, / presume, like
a great many other things. Telegraph
ing, that is expert telegraphing, is a
very different art, Miss Elinor."
II know you will excuse me Tor con-
tradictinp YOU" exclaimed the girl with