The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-12-02

called her up again.
Central, why can't get my house p
I'm sure I don't know" she an
swered, with a suspicion of laughter in
her voice
TIL bet those COMPOUNDED servants
are gossiping down in the basement.
Ring EN- again, and ring EN- like
thunder"
Central obeyed his orders energet-
ically, but without results.
Il can't get any answer" she said
gently to the irate man at the other
end of the line, but I'll try them again
in a few minutes, and if / get an an
swer I'll call you up. No, won't for
get" she said, almost before the man
had uttered his warning. II know you
call the house every morning from
your office"
Thank you said the man much
Modified, those servants are so care
less, and my niece, who looks after
the children, is confined to her room by
Illness"
Circleville's telephone system was
not very complicated. The three girls
who presided in the central Office were
not kept occupied as in a larger city,
because this was a new institution in
the pretty inland city, and subscribers
were not coming in fast enough to sat
isfy the telephone company. Only one
Of the girls hailed from Circleville.
The other two were from Chicago, and
it was Margaret Baxter, one of the Chi
cago girls, who had answered Mr.
Dickson's imperative calls.
For the next few minutes she was
kept busy plugging in and out on her
smile lowered about her lips, and a
q ch In ha
1T would be very funny" she said
TO herself. 'if it should be all straight
ened out by telephone, and I would not
be at all surprised if that is just what
Jack hoped for" Then she turned sud-
denly and rang up 234 j.
A rather thick voice with a distinct
brogue answered this call with a sui
len Hello" Margaret's face turned
grave, and firm lines showed about her
mouth.
Why has no one answered the tele-
Dhone?" she said rather sternly. II
have been ringing you on and off for
fifteen minutes
Sure I've somethin TO do beside
runnin' up them stairs to answer this
bell. It's wonder a woman can't eat
her breakfast in peace"
Margaret connected 234 ] with 719
NJ, signing softly to herself, Poor
Of that woman"
The conversation at the wire claimed
her attention. There were reasons why
she felt she had a right to listen.
Hello, Mary, is this your"
"Yessir"
How is Master Reginald?"
Fine, sir"
What did he eat for his breakfast p
"A peach, bowl of rice an milk and
five cakes.
Now. Mary. I've told you repeatedly
not to let him have hot cakes
Then, sir, you'll have to stay at
home and. keep him from it, It's a
cook l am and no nurse"
We'll, well" said the man, anxious
ly, as one who realized he was in a
predicament and needed the good will
of every one. I'm sure while Miss
Ellen is sick you will look after the
children, and l viii not forget it when
l pay you next week"
This bit of diplomacy elected no re-
ply from the other end of the wire.
Has Miss Bessie gone to school?"
"She has not. Sure, the strings off
her hood and one of her rubbers is lost
entirely, and L told her she'd best stay
home till her Aunt Ellen could get
about"
Dear, dear" said the man. and a
prodigious sigh seemed to choke his
utterance
rs that all, sir?" said the woman
impatiently
I guess So" he replied reluctantly.
and hung UP his receiver
At her end of the wire the woman
slammed UP the receiver with a crash
which made Central flush just a bit