Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-09-18
A LATE PHONE CALL.
HOW THE SUPERlNTENDENT,s sLuM-
Der WAS DISTURBED.

A~te WIN OiO OIOIC.
Euddenly Exeised by Fears of a Terrible
Disaster on Ills Railrond-An Important
Question That Was Settled by another
omcial.
Superintendent S. has been connect
ed with the profession u raiiroading in
New England for tho past 30 years. He is
a genial sort of fellow, man with nerves
of steel and other qualifications that PAR
tlcularly ct him for tho important duties
OF his Office There is also vein OF hnmor
running through his composition, and no
ono enjoys good story CT a practical joke
more than he.
During the early days of the telephone
lie was party an incident in connection
with the ''hello' machine which, while
IL at first slightly nettled him, yot by
happy thought was turned into first class
rake at ono Of the other officials on the
road, ard to this day Superintendent S.
refers to the matter with keenest enjoy
lnent.
1t was past midnight some years ago
>shen the superintendent arrived at his
homo after most trying day, and MS he
crawled into bed he said to his wife he
hoped the telephone would not ring dur
irg the hours he was to devote to rest as
lie was as near the point of complete ex-
haustion us he could get and retain his
normal balance. Finally he fell into
doze, but before reaching what is known as
q dead slumber there was tremendous rat
tic of the telephone bell.
His wife sprang cut Of he'd to ascertain
the cause of tho alarm, and made haste to
disconneot tho wires SO that the racket
would not disturb her husband. But he
had heard the changing and almost breath
lessly listened to catch a word that indicat-
ed trouble on the division. lie had already
pictured to himself a terrible wreck ON the
,oad, with hundred or more men, wom-
en- and children making death struggle
to oxtricate themselves from the mixed
timbers of a bridge and the shattered pas
senger coaches which were threatened
with destruction from fire and food.
'Who is it?'' inquired his wife
A momentary pause.
UNLESS it is something very important
| shall not call him."
Another pause.
as it really necessary that you should
speak With hlmI
But as the superintendent was now out
of bed, and his curiosity had been raised
to know more about the business of the
party at the other end of tho line, he took
the receiver and placed it to his car.
"Who is it?" he inquired, and there was
a 1recracker snap to the words.
at is Mrs. NJ.
"Who arc your"
-. 4. = r.. 4.
and as you are the only one when l know
that can give it to me l rung you up"
81 don't know you, madam, but If l can
be of service to you, let me know what
you want and will do tho best can to
help you.
"Wcll, then, what's tho fare to Yellow
stone park?'
The superintendent was so startled by
the question that he let the receiver fall
from his hand, and it struck him upon tho
left kneepan. He hastily secured it and
again placed it to his ear.
whats thatg'' he inquired in tons
that nearly melted the wire.
whats the fare to Yellowstone park,
plcaseF"
Tho heated superintendent was about TO
hang up the receiver and treat his inquirer
thought tho whole situation struck him as
being decidedly amusing, and, notwith
standing his desire for sleep and his indig-
nation at being disturbed, he concluded to
GO further into the details of the matter.
"How is it that you call me up at this
unreasonable hour of the night? Don't you
know it is nearly 3 O'Clock in tho morn
ing?"
Il know it is quite late, but as 1 was
coming homo from party at Mrs. b. IS
/ became involved in heated controversy
with Mrs. ID. on the matter Of the cost
Of a trip to the Yellowstone park. She in
sisted that it would take at least $500,
while contended it could be done for $500.
She was so persistent and annoying that I
could not go to bed until found out from
"a railroad man the true facts in the case.
You had not retired, l hope?"
Eyes, had retired after one of the hard
est days work ever knew"
"Oh, l am SO sorry, but now that you
are up viii you kindly answer my ques-
tion?"
II know nothing about rates. / am
the superintendent of the line, not the pas
Eenger agent He's the ono you want to
talk to-"
whats his NUMBER"
"Wait q moment and I'll give it to
you"
The superintendent did not give his late
caller the general passenger agents num-
Der, but that Of tho passenger agent up In
Woonsocket, who had the reputation Of fc
ing great practical joker, and the super
intendent never lost an opportunity to, in
way, square the account he had against
him.
"Aro you there?" inquired the superin-
tendent
Eyes; I'm waiting"
We'll, if you call No. -, WOonsocke6,
you can obtain all the information you
wish concerning the rate to Yellowstone
park. Good morning" And the tired
superintendent made haste to curl himself
up for the remainder Of his sleep.
Tho next day tho superintendent hap
Pened to be at Woonsocket, and in passing
through tho station he stopped at the win
dow of the ticket Office and looked in. Tho
agent was sitting at his desk, holding GU
to his head with both hands
whats the matter? You appear tired +"
shouted tho superintendent through the
opening.
"Not tired, but have ripping head
ache"
"Out late last night?"
"No; went to bed all right, but about
2 o'clock I was awakened by woman
down the line who wanted to knew the
rate to Yellowstone park, ana 1 was so
worked up over the matter that l did not
get wink Of sleep afterward. F"
81 sympathize with you" feelingly re-
piled the Observation-Disclosures Herald.
The French.
The French were first mentioned as the
Ernrl,S nj hn AZ ,r-nrliI-n Gnr,,nn,,s, In,