Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-07-06
A LATE PHONE CALL.
HOW THE SUpERlNTENDeNT'S SLUM-
Der WAS DISTURBED.
Suddenly Excited by Fears of = Terrible
Disaster on His Railroad-An Important
al

cd with the profession OF r1llrOadlng in ,
New England for the past 30 years He is
a genial sort of fellow, "a man with nerves
II steel and other qualifications that par. |
ticularly fit him for the important duties
Of his office. Thore Is also n vein Of humor
running through his composition, and no
one enjoys good story or practical joke |
more than he.
During the early days OF the telephone
he was party to an incident in connection
with the "hollo' machine which, while
1t at first slightly nettled him, yet by n
happy thought was turned into first class
rake" at one Of tho 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 ago
when the superintendent arrived at his
homo after most trying day, and as he
crawled into bed he said to his wife he
hoped the telephone would not ring dur.
ing the hours he was to devote TO rest, as
he was as near the point of complete ex.
haustion as he could get and retain his
normal balance. Finally he fell into
doze, but before reaching what Is known as
a dead slumber there was a tremendous rat.
tie of the telephone bell.
His wife sprang out Of bed to ascertain
the cause Of the alarm, and made haste to
disconneCt the wires so that the racket
would not disturb her husband. But he
had heard the changing, and almost breath
lessly listened to catch word that indicat-
ed trouble on the division. He had already
pictured TO himself q terrible wreck on the
road, with hundred or more men, WON
en- and children making death struggle
to extricate themselves from the mixed
timbers of a bridge and the shattered pas
senger coaches which were threatened
with destruction from fire and flood.
who is itS" inquired his wife.
A momentnry pause.
UNLESS it is something very important
/ shall not call him."
Another pause.
as it really necessary that you should
speak with himf'
But as the superintendent was now out
Of bed, and bis curiosity had been raised
to know more about the business of the
party at the other ell Of the line, he took
the receiver and placed 1t to his ear.
Who is itF' he inquired, and there was
a firecracker snap to the words,
at is Mrs. ~.
"Who are you9'
and as you are the only one whom know
that can give it to me rung you up"
Il don't know you, madam, but If I can
be of service to you, let me know whnt
you want and will do tho best can to
help you"
We'll, 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 1t struck him upon the
left kneepan. He hastily secured it and
again placed it to his ear.
whats that" he inquired in tone
that nearly melted the wire.
What's the fare to Yellowstc 10 park,
plenses'
The heated superintendent was about to
hang up the receiver and treat his inquirer
with cold silence, when upon second
thought tho whole situation struck him as
being decidedly amusing, and, notwth.
standing his desire for sleep and his indig.
nation at being disturbed, be concluded to
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?'
Il know It is quite late, but as was
coming homo from party at Mrs b. S
l became involved in u heated controversy
with Mrs. ID. on the matter Of the cost
OF trip to the Yellowstone park. She in
sisted that it would take at least $500,
while commended it could be done for S400.
She was so persistent and annoying that
could not go 10 bed until I found out from
a railroad man the true facts in the case.
You had not retired, | hope:'
Yes, l had retired after one of the hard
est days work l over knew.
"Oh, am so sorry, bur now that You
are up will you kindly answer my ques-
tion?"
Il know nothing about rates. I am
the superintendent of the line, not the pas.
seDger agent, He's tho one you want to
talk to.
What's his NUMBER
wait q moment and III give it to
you
The superintendent did not give his late
caller the general passenger agents mum
Der, but that of the passenger agent up in
Woonsockst, who had the reputation of he
ing great practical joker, and the super
intendent never lost an opportunity to, in
n way, square the account he had against
him.
"Are you therc?" inquired the superin
tendent.
YES; I'm waiting"
"Well, If you call No. -, Woonsocket,
you can obtain all the Information you
wish concerning the rate TO Yellowstone
park. Good morning And the tired
superintendent made haste 10 curl himself
up for the remainder Of his sleep.
The next day the superintendent hap
pened to be at Woonsocket, and in passing
through the station he stopped at the win
dow Of the ticket office ard looked in Tit
agent was sitting at his desk, holding o.
to his head with both hands.
What's the matterY You appear tired,
shouted the superintendent through thu
opening.
Not tired, but l have ripping head
ache"
"Out late last night"
mo, went 10 bed all right, but abou
O'Clock was awakened by woman
down the line who wanted to know thu
rate to Yellowstone park, and | was St
worked up over the matter that did no
get wink OF sleep afterward
81 sympathize with you, feelingly re