The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-08
.o.o.o.o.o. .o.ost
Over the Wire.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

copyright. 1905. by T. c. Mcciure.1
Job Strong kept grocery in the
town Of Medina, and he was an old
bachelor. 1t had been said Of him
hundred times over that he was the
homeliest man In the state.
Job Strong had brother living in
Brunswick. and, as each had tele-
phone, messages often passed between
them. The grocer had good voice. 1t
was deep and rich and clear, and he
was accounted one OF the best singers
in his church choir. One day when he
went to hello for Brunswick he found
himself answered by a new voice. 1t
was that of female. and it stirred
his heart at once. 1t was pitched to a
gentle cadence. 1t reminded him of
his own New Orleans molasses gently
gurgling from the spigot into a Gus
toner's jug. It rolled along the wire
like a new tire on bike. and he held
on to 1t as long as possible. Cur1ously
enough, that deep. rich voice OF his
awoke an answering echo in the heart
OF the operator at Brunswick. She
thought OF knights and cavaliers and
squires and danes, and It was with a
sigh that she switched him over to the
brother.
1t may be giving away the plot too
soon, but there Is a curious coinci-
dence here to be explained. The Bruins
wick operator was an old maid named
Miss Jndkins. She had reached the
age Of forty and for the last twenty
years had been match for Job Strong
in LONELINESS. AS homely as Miss
Judkins" was saying for thirty miles
around. They said Of her that she
had once scared COW to death by en-
tering the barn and that when farm
ers drove to town they double hitched
their horses to the posts on her ac-
count. And, like Job Strong. she didn't
know that anything was amiss.
After the first call over the wire Job
Strong had longing to hear that voice
again. Not many hours had passed be-
fore he found an excuse. This time he
did not inquire for his brother, but
asked about the price Of real estate and
other things In Brunswick and also In
troduced himself. The operator could
do no less than give her own name
in reply, and thus began the courtship
for such 1t truly was. At least three
times day the grocer had something
10 say over the wire and found ready
and sympathetic listener. He had g
picture In his minds eye OF the lady
with the voice that thrilled, and wheth
er he was weighing out sugar or draw
ing molasses It was ever before him
She was tall and stately and gentle
and smiling and would make wife Z
be proud OF. Miss Judkins also hug
ged a mental photograph 10 her heart
II was OF knight on black charger
When three months had gone by tn
grocer determined to visit Brunswick
and know the worst or best. He fount
himself abscntminded by day ant
sleepless by night. and this wouldn'
do ut all. The first he knew his rival
would be selling wagon grease
cents a box cheaper than he was an,
drawing away his trade. He notifies
Miss Judkins Of the day. and she pu
on her Sunday dress and extra falls
hair for the occasion and also got
substitute for the day. Two heart
were beating unanimously as Jol
knocked at the door. Then two peopl
surveyed each other for moment an
sat down, and there came painful 81
lence. IL was broken at last by Mis-
Judkins' brother. who was present
After letting out q guffaw TO be hear
forty rods he exclaimed:
swell. may be durnedr'
This aroused the sister TO action, an
with flaming cheeks she turned on Jo
Strong and severely said:
"Sir, how dare you come here an
play such trick on me-
.Trick. Trick. What do you meanf
.You are passing yourself OF as MI
Strong OF Medina. but you can't b
he!"
and I expected to see Miss Judkin
instead OF you"
: but am Miss Judkins."
] "And am Mr.. Strong"
"Pll be burned again. shouted th
J brother after another guffaw.
!, "Slr, this Is unbearabler' said Mis-
Judkins as she rose up.
.Aliss. Il Is joke that don't undel
2 stand at ALL replied Mr.. Strong as b
also rose M.
Il expected to see rather handscm
Z man."
"And a rather handsome woman.
"But instead of that you are th
. homclIest man ever laid eyes on"
"Ditto."
y "you insult me. sir!''
. "And you insult me-"
Good lands, but II I'D have know
you were the man you are I wouldn
have wasted minute on your
"Ditto again.
J "Look a.here." said the brother whe