The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1901-02-21
JOKE ON TOM.
Or How the Boys Caused Domestic
Difficulties

OF many mean jokes, the one that
bears the blue ribbon in this neigh
borhood is told in railroad circles.
A certain engineer on the Iowa Gen.
trait would not be fair to mention
names, running in and out of this
city has grievance that will require
special committee to investigate
and adjust. Said engineer has had
rather irregular run, getting into the
city sometimes at noon and some
times in the evening for his hours
off. He has cosy little home near
the railroad and a patient and loving
wife presides there eager always to
give attention to his every wish.
Some days the husband gets home in
time for dinner and other days he
will not arrive until after dark. In
order to let his wife know when he
entered the city that she might be
ready for him by the time that he
had delivered his train into the hands
of the yard master, he had a peculiar
manner of sounding the whistle when
at a certain crossing nearest his
home. The signal was different from
any other whistle in the code of sig
nails. 1t complied with the road re-
quirements but there was a little
twitch and quirk with toot and
sputter that conveyed to the waiting
wife the message, "Just in, be home
in thirty minutes" Then the little
house was all hustle and preparation
for the coming of husband and father.
There was special warm meal start
ed and all was made ready for the
home coming of the lord and master.
This sort of thing had been going on
for some time nor had there been a
single rifle upon the waves of that
tranquil home. Even the neighbors
had remarked how perfect were the
arrangements and the understanding
between Mr.. and Mrs. So-and-So.
1t was thus that the wife disclosed to
an inquiring neighbor the secret of
the signal. "There he is now" said
she, as a final toot, to DOT, -ooot,-
o-o-oot, foot was borne TO their ears.
That's Toms whistle, I'd know it
anywhere" and SO the whistle be-
came known in the neighborhood.
The trainmen finally learned Toms
individual signal and in the spirit of
fun one day an engineer in passing
Toms whistling post" blew Toms
whistle to perfection. The little wife
at home, though not expecting her
husband for several hours, sprang up
and began getting the dinner ready.
She waited and waited but no Tom
came, nor did he put in an appear
ance until late that night. Explana-
tions were demanded and given. Tom
swore that he had not been in the
CITY all day and his wife insisted that
he gave the signal. This sort of thing
was repeated several times, much to
the annoyance of both Mr.. and Mrs.
Tom. 1t finally dawned upon them
that some one else was sounding the
signal to fool them and were having
a laugh at their expense. Several of
the engineers heard of the joke and
thought it so good that they had to
take a try at the same thing until
many times a day was Toms signal
sounded from that crossing. 1t broke
up the little plan of Mr.. and Mrs.
Tom for a time, but now they have
plan that works as perfectly
as the old whistle. The secret is all
their own and the trainmen have
been unable to locate the means of
the wireless telegraphy now employ
ed by Tom and his wife, nor will they
disclose it, but it is fact that meals
are again regular and harmony is
once more supreme.