The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-15
"A LATE PHONE CALL.
NOW THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES sLUM-
Der WAS DISTURBED.

NOW THE SUPERlNTENDENT'S SLUM-
Der WAS DISTURBED.
Suddenly Excitsd by Fears Of Terrible
Disaster ON His Rsilrosd--An Important
Question That Was Settled by Another
OmoiaI.
Superintendent 3. has boon connect
cd with the profession Of railroading In
New England for the past 80 years. Heh
genial sort of fellow, u man with nerves
Of steel and other qualiHca tions that par
ticularly fit him for tho important dutiel
Of his Office. There Is also vein of humoi
running through his composition, and nc
one enjoys good story or practical joke
more than he.
During tho early days of the telephone
he was party to an incident In connection
with the "hcllo' machine which, while
It at first slightly nettled him, yet by o
happy thought was turned into first class
rake" at one Of the other officials on the
road, and to this day Superintendent s.
refers to the matter with keenest enjoy
ment
1t was past midnight some years age
when the superintendent arrived at his
home after most trying day, and as he
orawled into bed he said to his wife hs
hoped tho telephone would not ring dur
ing the hours he was to devote to rest, al
he was as near the point of complete ex
haustion as he could get and retain hil
normal balance. Finally ho fell into o
doze, but before reaching what Is known al
a dead slumber there was tremendous rat
tie Of the telephone BELL
His wife sprang out Of bed to asoertaiI
the cause OF the alarm, and made haste t.
disoonnect the wires 80 that the racket
would not disturb her husband. But hi
had heard the changing, and almost breath
lessly listened to catch word that indioat
ed trouble on the division. He had already
pictured to himself a terrible wreck on the
road, with hundred or more men. WON
en- and children making death struggle
to extrioate themselves from the mixed
timbers of bridge and the shattered pas
senger coaches which were threatened
with destruction from fire and food.
"Who Is itf" inquired his wife.
A momentary pause.
"Unless 1t Is something very important
] shall not call him."
Another pause.
"Is 1t really necessary that you should
speak with himf'
But as tho superintendent was now out
Of bed, and his curiosity had been raised
to know moro about the business of tht
party at the other end of the line, he took
the receiver and placed IL to his ear.
"Who is itP" he inquired, and there WA
. firecracker snap to the words.
"It Is Mrs. M"
"Who are your
II am lady In search of information
and az you are the only one whom ] know
that can give it to me rung you up"
II don't know you, madam, but II ! car
be Of service to you, let me know what
you want and I will do the best can t.
help you."
"well, then, what's tho fare to Yellow
stone parkr'
The superintendent was 90 startled b,
the question that he let the receiver fall
from his hand, and It struck him upon the
left kneepan. He hastily secured it ano
again placed 1t to his ear.
whats thatf' he inquired in tone
that nearly melted the wire.
whats the fare to Yellowstone park.
pleasef'
The heated superintendent was about tt
hang up the receiver and treat his inquirer
with cold silence, when upon seconc
thought the whole situation struck him a.
being decidedly amusing, and, notwith
standing his desire for sleep and his indig
nation at being disturbed, he concluded te
60 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 o'clock in the morn
ing?"
II know It is quite late, but as was
coming home from party at Mrs. b. e
became involved In heated controversy
with Mrs. ID. on the matter Of the cost
of trip to the Yellowstone park. She in
sisted that itwould take at least $500,
while / Icontended 1t could be done for $40O.
She was SO persistent and annoying that
could not go to bed until found out from
railroad man the true facts in the case.
You had not retired, hope?'
Eyes, / had retired after one of tho hard
est days work ever knew"
"Oh, am so sorry, but now that you
are up will you kindly answer my ques
tionY"
. II know nothing about rates. I am
the superintendent Of the line not the pas
senger agent. He's the one you want tc
talk to-"
"What's his numberP'
: "Wait q moment and I'll give It t.
you"
The superintendent did not give his late
caller the general passenger agents mum
Der, but that of tho passenger agent up In
Woonsocket, who had the reputation of be
ing great practical joker, and the super
intendent never lost an opportunity to, in
way, square the account he had against
him.
"Are you theref" inquired the superin.