The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-09-21
BILLY MASON'S
"FOOLISHNESS"
By Ehen E. Rexford.


ID hrSt saw telegraph instrument
in operation, thought he would ike 10
be telegraph operator, and he asked
his father to buy him the necessary
outfit, so that he might learn the bust
ness at home.
..All fooGshness," answered Mr.. Ma
son. You'd get tired of it in less than
4 week. Better go in for something
that you'd get some good out Of"
L wouldn't get tired of it," asserted
Billy. Il promise you that il you'll
buy me an OUTFIT I'll stick to it till get
so 1 can send messages just as real
That settled the matter, 50 far as Mr..
Mason was concerned. But Billy did
not give up his plan.
When the new railroad came to
Brownsville OF course a telegraph line
came with it, and Billy lost no time in
making the acquaintance of the opera
tor. who was pleasant. good-natured
fellow, and quite willing to show Billy
how TO use the instrument.
In less than a week from the time he
began 10 practice on the operators
sender" he had learned the alphabet,
and it was not long before he could
begin 10 pick up short and easy words
as they came TO the operator, over the
line.
You'd learn the business in ro time
If you had a chance" the operator said.
You ought to have an instrument at
home. If you had we'd string a wire
between your place and the station,
and we could practice good deal at
odd spells"
One day the operator at the station
told him that he had found where a
secondhand outfit could be bought for
a song, almost.
If you'll buy that TIL furnish the
wire" he said. Then Wen have a line
of our own, and will ask no favors of
the main line"
Billy determined that such chance
as this should rot be lost. and he went
TO work that day to earn the money
with which to buy the outfit. He ran
on errands. He did all kinds OF odd
jobs that would bring In a penny. By
and by, seeing how intent he was on
the purchase Of the instrument, his
mother felt sorry for him and gave
him enough to make up the price Of it,
when added to what he had earned.
And Billy bought the outfit.
A happier boy than Billy Mason was
when the wire was strung and the line
was ready for use it would be hard to
find.
II was not long before he was able to
"take" the messages the station man
sent him over their line, and in a little
while he became quite proficient at
sending" They talked back and forth
between the farm and station, and
Billy began TO feel quite like q full
fedged operator when he was able to
"cau mp the man at the other end of
the line, and ask him question whose
meaning did not have to be guessed at.
One day Mr.. Mason announced his in
tention TO take the family and go over
visit.
Wen go Saturday and come back
Monday" he said. But guess you'll
have to stay at home"-to Billy-'sto
see to things. It wouldn't DO to shut
up the house and leave it alone"
Mr. Mason and the family started OF
on Saturday afternoon on the long
planned. often-delayed visit, and Billy
was left to look out for himself, which
he felt quite able to do.
The night closed in. dark and threat
ening storm. The wind blew fercely
about the house and made a roaring
sound in the chimney of the fireplace.
Billy did not feel at all frightened at
being alone, but he could not help feel
ing lonesome.
He went up to his room about eight
o'clock and concluded he would go to
bed.
II wonder if Stewart is in the Office
.still?" he thought. I'll call him and
see.''
He went to the instrument and made
his ''cal-"
''Click, click. click" came back the
answer. presently.
Didn't know but that you'd gone
home" telegrsphed Billy
Busy making out my monthly re-
port" came back the answer. '-Shall
not be able to get away very early to-
night. Good night"
Good night" responded Billy, and
then he went to bed.
He dropped of to sleep almost imme-
diately. But he woke just as the old
clock downstairs was striking ten.
AS the sound of the clock died away
he became conscious of another sound
a sound like that of step in the room
below slow, careful step, as of some
one who did not care to make noise
enough to warn others of his presence.
Il wonder If some one is downstairs,
or am I imagining it ?" thought Billy.
He sat up in bed and listened.
II do hear steps" he decided. who's
downstairs, I'd like to know? None Of
our folks-they wouldn't be tip-toeing
around like that. 1t must be a burglar
or tramp"
Bily's room was over the sitting
room There was register in the floor,
Immediately in front of his bed When
this was open. light would shine
through from the room below. As he
sat there he heard a sound like the
careful opening of door, and then he
saw a glimmer of Iipht through the