The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-25
q thought you'd recognize my voice.

''I thought youd recognize my voice. J l Did you? I didn't know my voice was so different from others Do you
 think I have voice that is better than
 other peoples'?"
 70! I didn't say that, but l would
 know your voice in Africa,
 "Ain't you mean! Do you think I'm
 an Ethiopian?"
 T think you're a fool, but say, did
 you know that Henry don't speak to
 Ma any more?"
 "I shouldn't think she'd stand for
 that. Wouldn't it wrinkle your stock
 ings?"
 At this point the angry man waiting
 for the telephone, could not endure it
 any longer and he kept up vigorous
 signaling to Central. Central replied
 that the line was busy, but the irate
 subscriber shouted back to cut off the
 nonsense and let business have show.
 He was told that Central had no right
 to cut anybody off. The subscriber gave
 up the attempt in disgust.
 These trivial conversations during the busiest hours of the day are becom- ing more annoying during the increased business transacted over the lines and the complaint is growing constantly. There does not appear to be any means to stop it, unless public sentiment is aroused sufficiently to make the gas sers" confne their conversation to hours when business is not pressing. There is one line which is held a large part of the forenoon by family of children who learn their lessons over ,1D, ,oa tons in arithmetic. One trouble is that there are not enough lines to conduct the business of the city.
 The American Steel and Wire com pany has been frequently annoyed by the practice, notwithstanding the fact that it has four wires. Not long ago the office of that company tried to get connection with the people in the heart of the city and could not do so on ac- count of twaddle extending for more than a quarter of an hour. For such loss of time means a great loss or money Imagine the condition of mind of a business man while he listens to the following conversation:
 why, don't you think I'm a pretty girl2"
 "Oh. of course, I think you are the loveliest creature on earth l see you in my dreams"
 'I forgot to tell you something--I | heard a funny story about you last | night"
 What was it? Hurry up and tell me, for I am anxious to know. Don't keep | your best fellow waiting
 sIt made me real mad when I heard it, but I don't care now. I heard that you sent beautiful New Years card to that girl who is always hanging around after you. Shel ooks a me so ugly when meet her that I thought she wanted to eat me. You can't go with me if you go with her. I'll give you a pointer on that
 This is about all that a hurried busi- ness man can stand, but he Is absolute 1y helpless in the case and his only re- dress is in explosives that are not found in the writings of the Evangelists. No business suffers more than the newspa- pers on this account At certain hours in the days the lines seem to be bur- dened with interminable nonsense of similar character. Girls are giving ''jollies" to some callow youth and con-  dance" to maids who love to josh" Of course there are times when lively con- versaton is sensible and pleasant to f Dothsi des but to keep up such idle va oorings and senseless trash in business lours, for long periods. when work and it's duties are the rule, is inexcusably , 1niust and harmful in the estimation If everybody who reasons Take the ,ase of a man who is about to board | train and has barely sufficient time 0 send am essage home to his family, IT to his firm on some important bus ness. The annoyance is more than ex- lsperating when the line is held by $ 'gassers'' to his detriment and loss. A z title sense of justice would prevent the i continuance of the practice while the T. principle involved in Put yourself in f lis place. would dictate a dscontin- lance A business man will not hold a ! n inc any longer than is necessary to i; ransact what the occasion calls for Q n nine cases out of ten the "gassers" 2 re not subscribers to the telephone, 6 which they are using to the great dis b dvantage of those who pay for them f or business purposes. n It is folly to blame the telephone girls r or the annoyance, because they are in I 0 sense responsible for it They are i, patient set of employee and the pro- n essioral takers give them more trouble S nd are much more eXacting than those C rhU pay for the telephones Worcester |, iazette. D