The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-24

The Telegraph Age.

Inc leleBfbpn age.
"Reminiscently behold line OF gentle-
men fling into my office all dressed in
blue hear the leader in quiet tone
inquire for the manager, | recognize them
as soldiers of the then hated North am
cognizant that my face did not indicate
reciprocity OF their urbanity, My nose
curied skyward. my eyes were flashing.
and | felt choking sensation as step
ped forward and inquired what was his
pleasure. without hesitation he mildly
informed me that his name was Spellman,
lieutenant In the United States military
telegraph corps, under Van Duscr, that he
was there for the purpose Of taking pos
session OF the lines In Texas and Mr. Scott,
pointing to ono OF ais blue-clad subordi
mates, viii relieve YOU as manager. and
he viii install another operator In the place
OF tho one you have.
II was da2od for moment. Had SPELL
men authoritatively demanded a surrender
! would then and there have delivered
myself of all the hatred / entertained for
him and his people, and | had an Immense
stock on hand But to quietly, politely. In
a gentlomanly manner request me to turn
over my office, without opportunity for a
mCments reelection was condition that
l stinck me dHlqkDlpS, as " We're, ana i
was entirely disarmcd of an opportunity
TO vent some of my fury upon him and his
/ people.
'rhe superintendent IN charge of the
! Southwestern limos in Oexas and Louisiana
Was out Of tho city. stepped to The key.
and, calling him up, advised him that the
| Yankee telegraphers were there and de-
manded a surrender OF the Office. What
shall | do? Surrender gracefully, taking
a receipt for everything delivered TO them,
he replied.
Surrender gracefully wonder II he
could surrender gracefully; but IT flashed
new idea into my mind These people
have conquered u.s. We have henceforth
I to live az citizens of tho same country.
why rot smooth the rankled indignation
permeating my whole being, and shake
hands over the bloody chasu? ! was q
different man from that moment de-
liberately showed Scott all knew, turned
him over moneys and the books Of the Of
flee. Taking my private belongings |
nodded my head In adieu aud stalked ou
OF the office.
I'm a polite note mailed me, spellmar
begged that after ! had looked al matterl
In a quiet way and had overcome the in
dignation that he or any man OF spiri
would, like myself, feel under the circum
stances. he would be delighted If ! would
accept a position in the office AZ Si25 pc
month. AS soon as the government turn
, over the lines to the company you WI
, no doubt he manager again he added.
ut was the most difficult feat Of my life
B engaging myself as an operator Under
, Yankee. WIS an intense Soutberner, an
am yet, but VIC ara not divided sgains
! one another al then. and are one and tn
same people. was soon at home WIN m
; new associates, and when after FEY
!. months the wires were turned back 10 th
company | was again manager of the Hous
ton office
i "spellman and became great friends
Q aud n was my pleasure and privilege ono
. TO aasist him after he had become PENN
o less In an effort to raise the price
cotton, which scheme swamped so man
/ Northern people AFT n the close OF the wa
z; lie married pretty little Tennessee cir
moi lar from Memphis, where he lived un
I iii his death rot long since. Many men
;; bers OF ibe old military tepsrapn corl
under Van Duser viii perhaps rcmcmb'
2 mo when they read this,
4 'Phihp II. Fall.