The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-07
THE TELEPHONE GIRLS EAR.
She Astonisbe- IT Chicago Citizen by
Her Memory for Voices.

prom Tie western ElectIlclAnl
There is a man in Chicago who relates a
curious experience. some time ago he had
occasion to talk to a business acquaintance
over the telephone. He called up the cen
trail office and asked for his friends num-
ber In a moment there came back to his
ear in n soft feminine voice the familiar
murmur: Lines busy now; please call
again"
The man a: the telephone was really anx-
ious TO communicate with his friend, who
was valued customer. without loss or
time. Accordingly. he called up the oper-
ator again in two or three minutes, with
the same unsatisfactory result. This pro-
cedure was repeated several times. the girl
invariably protesting in calm, even tones
that the desired connection could not be
obtained.
From growing irritation the impatient
man at the instrument passed to a COM
plete, though momentary. loss Of his tenn
per. and he soundly bArated the girl at the
switchboard for what ne thought was sim
ply careless inattentior to her duties. The
girl returned soft answer In few words,
aud thus the brief dialogue terminated.
This was a very ordinary incident, but
the sequel as told by the narrator of the
story, was surprising About a week after
my colloquy with the telephone girl" he
said. in continuing his veracious relation,
Il had occasion to take an elevated rail
way train. and stopped for half a minute
TO exchange 4 word with the ticket seller,
with whom have slight acquaintance.
It was only 4 word, however. for there was
n young woman behind me awaiting her
turn to pass through. and so l hurried out
to the platform and into the train
The girl behind me entered the same
car and took a seat across the aisle from
gtVasW
in appearance and neatly dressed, but as
have grown-up family OF my own. and
have passed the age of youthful follles.
my glance toward her was merely one OF
casual beneyolence. A moment later how
ever, | was conscious that she was regard
ing me intently. She was evidently reas-
surred by my mature and unassuming ex-
terror. for. to my establishment, she
quickly arose and took the vacant seat be-
side me. Before l could imagine what
was up she began to speak.
Please pardon me for my presumption
she said. but are you not the gentleman
who had some difficulty in getting Har-
rison ninety nine double-nine on the tele-
phone last week.
81 was completely mystihed but I re-
membered the number very well, and /
said was the man.
central office. l remember you by your
voice
you may imagine my surprise. "
course, | was profuse in apologies when
recovered byself bit. The young woman,
evidently regarding me as trustworthy.
fatherly sort of a person. then proceeded
TO tell me great many things | had not
known about the arduous duties. strict
discipline. and perplexities OF telephone
girl She spoke with dignity and self
possession. and her earnest, ladylike man
ner made me doubly ashamed Of my trivial
impatience. But before | could again eN-
press my regret the train had reached her
station, and she was gone. l am still wo''-
dering. however. at her wonderful ear
memory. She had heard my voice but for
an instant at the ticket sellers window,
and yet she remembered Ii from among
the thousands of others that came to her
over the wire