Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-12-10
LOVE BY TELEGRAPH

I responded, Good morning, Dan
wood"
''The former operator died last night
and have taken his place"
"What is your nameT' l asked.
"Nellie Merton. What is yours"
spirit of mischief prompted my re-
ply.
Harry Clayborn."
Every day l bid my unseen acquaint-
ance good morning and never closed
up at night without farewell message.
A twinge of conscience racked me at
times, and still, small voice whisper
ed its warning, but the temptation was
too great, and it was not long before
was sending sly messages to the unseen
Nellie.
1t was no end of fun. She told me her
history. She had run away from home
because her parents insisted upon mar
rying her to man she detested, and
the last word came clicking viciously
from my end Of the line. She would
never marry him-never.
Well, the outcome Of it all was that l
asked the unseen Nellie to be my wife
and even described the little home that
was lonesomely awaiting her coming.
l was fioundering in deep water and
could but trust to merciful Provi-
dence to pull me out. My fun was be-
coming dead earnest.
That virtue was almost exhausted
when the we'll known call fell on my
ear. l flew to the instrument. 1t was
concise, but not very complimentary.
"Rather than marry that brute / will
risk it."
was in for it now. l, Della Browne,
was engaged to be married to young
lady l had never seen. This was fore
ing the question of woman's rights.
i carried the fun on for over three
months, and every day it grew less
funny until / began to brood over the
predicament into which / had led my
feet. The time was rapidly approach
ing when l would have to claim my
bride.
At last l could bear it no longer and
one day, just three weeks before was
to travel to DanwoOd and claim my
bride, l got into the train with alto
gether another motive. 1t was to kiss
and make up after had begged her
with fears To forgive mo etc
l found the telegraph office. 1t was
occupied by young man reading pa
per. looked at him without speaking,
and he returned the compliment In
kind. -.--..a-- ,ass-
Il wish to see Miss Nellie Merton" I
said, and as he did not speak went on
to explain: II am the operator at Bran
don and desire to see her on important
business. A moments delay means
2 $50 you are the operator at Brandon
and Wish to see Miss Merton. am sor-
ry to disappoint you; but, you see, Miss
Merton is at home at the present time.
while take her place. The fact Is she
is going to be married and is preparing
for the great event She cannot be
seen personally, but If you will intrust
the message to me will deliver 1t i'm
mediately If you will take my place
while run around to the house."
II must see her." said excltedly.
"But you cannot" he said coolly. 81
have orders not to let any one know
her whereabouts for day or two until
these preparations are well under
way"
Don't say another word. You will
set me wild. If you won't tell me
where to find her." went on in des-
peration, "will you please tell her this?
l have been a wicked girl, and-and-
there is no such person as Harry Clay
born. 1t started in fun, and-and-
please let me go to her. She will I'M
derstand me so much better than you
can explain it,"
'No such person as Harry Clayborn!
My dear young lady, must beg leave
to differ with you. That is the name
of the young gentleman who in three
short weeks is to marry Miss Merton.
Surely he is not dead" he added in
SOhStci atiOh.
s.."Qh, will you not understand! 1t was
all joke at first. ! thought it would
be great fun, and so well, am Har-
ry Clayborn. and after time we be-
came engaged-all In fun too. l tried
to stop, but was so wicked could not,
and now poor Nellie will break her
heart And-and"-
Here | broke down and began to cry
in miserable way. Unlike most men.
my companion was not in the least dis
concerted at the sight of my tears, but
simply laughed loud and long.
Presently the laughter ceased. Then
heard uneasy movements in the chair
occupied by my companion. Then he
got up and paced about restlessly.
Pretty soon a gentle touch fell upon
my arm, and his voice, very kind, said:
"Nellie is here to receive your con-
fession and forgiveness"
/ dried my eyes and looked up, but
saw no one but the tail. handsome
yo,InU man who was lOOk ing at me