The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-06-04
Pm Operators Story.

vThe life of telegraph operators in
10 city is very unlike that of their
Others in the country, and the duties
the commercial" operator differ
seatly from those Of the railroad man.
he latter's work may not be arduous
the other fellows, but, it is fire.
lently attended with much respon-
,bility. And one does not need to 20
Mexico or Montana in order to
ltis'y himself that the railroad oper-
or also has his share of close shaves
Id hair-raising experiences. A veteran
key-twister," VINO used to be en-
Dyed nights on the eastern division
the Boston & Maine railroad in New
aampshire, tells startling story of
g experience with a burglar while
wing orders from headquarters to
pp a through freight. The predica-
emit in which he placed himself by
ling asleep at his post should be a
arning to all night operators who
i've handin the movement of trains.
E"Just throw two or three shovel.
Is OF coal on the fire every hour or so
id make yourself comfortable. There
pn't be much doing tonight, and
ter No. 2 goes-why, scoot home"
Those were the last words Ed said
me as he buttoned his collar high
otnd his neck and hurried out of the
Gee.
ed was the regular night telegraph
|erator at the little town at Hampton,
Iuated on single-track railroad in
3w Hampshire. He was not more
pm twenty-five years old, and the
pnotony of his work caused him to
PIX frequent recreation away from
3 office. If a dance was to come off
the town hall or within ten miles of
Ed would be there, provided he
ald find some ono to take his place
that night at the Office.
4 was only sixteen at that time. A
" years before my brother and two
her young men, all older than N.Y.
i, had built private telegraph line
tween their homes in order. as thew
I'd, to learn how to "sling light
pg" we'll enough to work in busy
Ice. Each became o good operator
q in time found employment at his
lde.
Although an eager disciple of the
|, l was almost too young to have o
prough knowledge of telegraphing
len my brother left home; but 1
CIV enough about it to want to know
IRE, and the day and night operators
Hampton were annoyed by my
its till they decided that I wasn't
entirely hopeless case and could
en be trusted occasionally to Sub"
them.
And that is what I had agreed to do
Ed on the night mentioned-a cold
clustering night in February.
rhe task was not altogether an
'eeable one. No passenger trains
pped at Hampton after 6.25 o'clock
the evening. After 8 no one ever
led at the station to inquire for
light, and by half past 10 all sounds
footsteps on the platform ceased,
y dim light here and there could |
seen, and everything about the
ce appeared to be dead.
thick snow storm, which set in
ing the evening, did not detract at
from the lonesomeness of my quar-.
$. "But every place is lonesome
night" I mused, ''and one can al
rs have company to cheer him."
This thought coupled with the re-
'tlon that in the morning 1 was to
Give $3.50 for my services, quoted
fears for the time being.
red, a white, and blue lantern
70 always kept burning in the office
light in case they should be needed
ckly. | examined each of these
terms to see if it was properly filled
secured, looked after the fire in
big coal stove, readjusted the re-
9 on wires Nos. 2 and Is, and lay
k in the big, cushioned armchair
h the air of one who had done his
duty.
side from the clicking of the tele-
pin (which was intermittent and
he me start when it struck up sud- !
lly after silence longer than usuar
that could be heard was the groan-
and signing of the wind and the
essant and wearisome hum-m.m-m-
nm OF the wires outside the sta
!. The blending of the last two
nds was as doleful as the clang of
sll buoy in violent storm.
welve O'Clock came round. That
a little too early for luncheon, but
It hungry and proceeded to des- .