The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-06-07
STORIES FROM The NATIONAL CAPITAL
um' sspeec orrespon Ralph

Washington. June 6.-Telegraphy is
fine thing, because it is possible
sometimes to do a little talking in the
presence of others than the operator
and thus save many embarrassing sit
uations.
The shortest telegraph line in the
world is in the office of Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General DeGraw, a
veteran operator
Mr.. DeGraw's outer office is presid
ed over by his private secretary, Mr.
Allen. who also can hold the wire. The
line runs from the outer to the inner
office.
A few days ago a senator happened
in and began a conversation with Sec
rotary Allen. While they were talk
ing a tall broad-shouldered man, wear
ing a brOad-rimmed hat and a stern,
disgruntled expression. happened in.
Without so much as eXcusing himself
he began talking.
Young man." he said. Il am post
master at Blanksville. Texas. An in
spectOr came down our way the other
day and looked over my accounts. l
thought I'd come up and see what you
people had against us. If any galOOt
has had the nerve to make charges
against me, | want to near them right
of q TTD6prSta -
Secretary Allen understood all right.
Awful glad to see you. Glad you
dropped in while in town. Have
seat"
Then he sent over the wire this mes
sage to Mr.. DeGraw in the inner office:
POSTMASTER from Blanksville here.
Mad as hornet because inspector look
ed over his accounts. Thinks some
one made charges and came all the
way to see who had the nerve to ques-
ton his honesty. Get papers in case
and look them over. He wants to see
you. Bad frame Of mind,"
Mr.. DeGraw Immediately sent for
the papers and examined them. Then
he sent message TO Mr.. Allen.
"CIick-a-click- click Hold him out
side a few minutes. Be right out.
Papers show he's o. X"
Fine weather were having Mr..
DeGraws busy at the present minute,
but he'll receive you in a short time, -
said the secretary.
"Yep-fine weather" said the post
master. If any one thinks they can
throw mud on my reputation hell be
mighty badly fooled. Never spent
cent dishonesty earned in my life.
Never even borrowed as much as a
chew Of tobacco that didn't pay back
The burned inspector came around my
place and never said nothing; just
went ahead with his inspectin.' Asst
him put to nave a drink and he re
fused. l knowed right away that some
one had been THROWN mud when he
refused a sOciable drink. So l decided
to come TO Washington
The door of Mr.. DeGraws office
opened and that official came in. He
glanced at the Texas postmaster and a
smile OF welcome came over his fea-
lures
Why, if it isn't the postmaster OF
{
you, Mr.. Elkins? Glad to see you.
was just about 10 write you congratu-
lating you on the splendid conduct OF
your office One OF the best showings
in the South. Allen, the next time
Mr.. EIkins happens in show him right
into my room. I'm sorry kept him
waiting Come inside.
Mr.. Elkins, OF Blanksville. was fab
bergasted He didn't remember OF ev-
er having met Nj, DeGraw. but he
must have been introduced to him
three years ago, when he was in
Washington to secure his appoin tment.
Mr.. DeGraw admitted he had a splen-
| did memory for faces.
Knew you the minute l clapped
eyes on you he said. 'How's the
folks IN Blanksville?"
| Five minutes later Elkins was on his