Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-09-17
SEVEN SIXTY FOUR,
RING THREE.

RING THREE.
Rockville village nestles close among
the Green mountains, hemmed in by
hills pleasant to look upon in summer
but on whose bare sides the wind bowls
dismally in winter Its only claim to
distinction is the fact that it is rail
road junction. A few low rambling
houses, a railroad station and telephone
office are the only dwellings which pre-
sent any signs of life.
Twenty miles distant is the city of
Barton. There is good deal OF inter
course between Rockville and Barton for
| the reason that the village is small
center of railroad traffic. The place even
boasts of two telephone operators who
reign supreme, one by night ana one by
day, in the little box like structure not
much larger than a switch house.
About II o'clock on a cold windy
night in March, Miss Fletcher, the night
telephone operator, was sitting dis
consolately by the window, which ratified
noisily as the wind howled around the
office. She was thinking over the past
and the changes which Fate had wrought
in her career How different was her lot
from what it might have been. had she
only needed her fathers wise advice And
yet, at the time when she ma lie her mis-
Etake, she felt that she was doing what
was right. Surely she could not be
blamed for trusting the man whom she
!! had loved and concerning whom the only
bad words she had ever heard had been
spoken by her father. She had trusted
= t,4o 10
of her fathers refusal of her marriage,
she had run away with him. At first,
how happy she had been! But later!-
a slight shudder shook the girls frame
All! later! Then all was different. How
she had suspected-how she had finally
found out, that he was not the man she
had thought him to be.
As these thoughts ran riot through
her mind, tear tricked down her cheek
and fell UNDECIDED Truly she had loved
that man and the discovery of his char
acter had stunned her for a time Yet,
toe proud to return to her father and
acknowledge her mistake, she had strug,
gled along to the best of her ability
Ioftentimes in actual need.
At last she had secured this position
as night telephone girl only twenty
miles from where her father lived
Her father How kind he had always
been to her Managing editor of the
Barton Gazette, he had been able to sat
isfy her every request. How could she
have doubted his Judgment? And yet,
at the time, he had seemed harsh and
almost cruel to her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the
entrance of the superintendent of the
railroad.
Beg pardon Miss Fletcher, but wish
to use the telephone he exclaimed.
There has been wreck about a mile up
the track and / want to send to Barton
for the wrecking train" After telephon-
ing to the main office in Barton. he
picked up his hat to leave.
High bridge washed away
train ran Off" the superintendent ierked
out laconieally, and went out, slamming
the door behind him.
About an hour and half later, the
telephone rang several times in success
sion Upon taking up the receiver, these
rather startling words greeted her;
'Hello This is the city editor of Bar
ton Gazette Do you know a MIR.
Fletcher from this paper?'' The girl
smiled slightly to herself as she an
swered. yes, sir swell, have YOU
seen him there at Rockville tonight
News of a big wreck reached the office
some time ago. All the reporters We're
out and Mr. Fletcher went to the wreck
himself on the wrecking train Nothing
has been heard from him since. The
story must go to press in short time
We're getting worried because he has not
sent us any word"
I'm sorry, sir the girl answered
hr=s h.t.N ,t,l L
nothing about him"
- As the girl hung up the receiver. hen
thoughts flew again to her father. How
t. like him to go himself out into the cold
He had always had the interest of the
paper SO much at heart. She remem
bered the many, many times when h,
had not returned home until long pass
his usual hour, having waited until a Ger
tain task was done or certain articl,
finished to his liking. Dear father! How
4 she longed to see him!
h Again her thoughts We're iuterrante,
- by the ring of the telephone and sh,
r heard the voice of the city editor say
e. ing: Haven't seen Fletcher vet, hay,
you? The story must go to press in al
u: hour. Can't You help us in any way 90
u The girls mind travelled quickly Il
the scene of the wreck and she saw il
imagination her father lying injured o.
even dead. Something must have han
pened or he would have sent in the story
le With only a moments hesitation. sb,
replied: Il win dc the best / can. / vii
N go myself to the wreck and get the stor,
for you if possible"
At the thought of any harm eomins
is to her father, all the girls love for hin
n and his interests was aroused 1t seemed
as though she never could get ready. but
when once started. fear lent wings to hel
- feet and she almost few up the track
The wind beat against her numerically
and she he'd to stop several times to get
sc her breath, At times, she stumbled ans
- almost fell, but at length she knew sh.
was nearly there for She could see the