The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-09-01
TELEPHONE VERSUS
CARRIER DOVES
Clever Competition
Parts Lovers
Pigeon Carries Pills and Plays Peace
maker.


Hampton. My father has been one
of the most respected citizens of this
community, and now you come and
oppose him in his business, when he
is trying to benefit the town"
Miss Hampton spoke In an angry
and excited tone and her eyes flashed
in the face of her friend. She had
known the doctor for nearly year
and in that time their acquaintance
had ripened into sincere and en-
dearing friendship.
Il beg your pardon. Miss Hamp-
ton." firmly spoke Dr. Lunt. II do not
wish to oppose your father, but l de-
sire to see the people of the place
u Gated Bquarely and given their just
rights"
IF you do not wish to oppose my
father, why do you fight the Hamp-
ton Telephone Company when you
know that he is the principal own
err" asked Alice.
81 consider the service of the COM
pany is poor and the rates are ex-
cessive, and | have lost business by
depending upon it," said the doctor.
There was a pause for a few mo-
ments. Neither seemed anxious to con-
tinue the conversation along the lines
they had just ended.
At length the doctor spoke. you
wish to sever our relation" said he
calmly, as If to change the subject
tone.
Yes" quickly answered Alice, and
she passed hastily by him and walked
away.
The doctor felt very keenly the
unpleasant situation in which this un.
exected turn of affairs had now plac
ed him. He had learned to love Alice
Hampton and was proud and happy
over the encouragement that sht
had given him. 1t looked now as Il
all these hopes were dashed to the
ground and swept away in a torrent
of Indignation by the high spirited
girl who had just left him so uncere
moniously.
DR.. Albert Lunt had been In the
town of Norwalk about a year an6
had established a large practice. He
was a man of considerable energy and
self-will; he was sincere in all his
principles, and was regarded as 3
very agreeable person.
1t was only short time after the
doctor had opened an office here thai
the Hampton Telephone Company
made its advent and was welcomed
by nearly everybody in town. 1t was
an independent company but the
rates were excessive, and for bust
ness man, the service was poor, very
poor indeed.
DR.. Lunt had two phones, one at
his house and one at his office. The
company had raised his rates OF SER
vice recently, and on one occasion the
operator at the central office, who
was one of the stockholders, had
turned one of DR.. Lunt's professional
calls over to one of the other doc
tors. 1t was becoming very evident
that there was feeling Of manifest
ed dissatisfaction on the doctors side
and soon there would be strife be-
tween the Telephone company and DR..
Lunt. The fact of the case was that
the company considered 1t held a
monopoly and that the people must
continue to use its telephones, how
ever Inadequate the service, or ex-
cessive the charges. Dr. Lunt was of a
different opinion, and was made of
different stuff"
After considerable controversy be.
tween the doctor and the directors Of
the company the doctor had both his
phones taken out. This was a great
surprise to the company, but not a
wholly unexpected move to several
citizens of the village. They knew
from the energetic and resolute ma
ture OF the doctor that he would not
rest under injustice or unfair treat
ment at the hands of any monopoly,
and that he would find some other
way to successfully conduct his bust
ness and not allow his patients to
suffer inconvenience.
1t was but a short time after this
that a number of the Doctors patients
had their telephones removed also.
The company now became alarmed,
fearing that still others would follow
the example of the doctor and his
friends, and quickly lowered the
rates. They watched the moves of
DIR. Lunt closely. What would he do?
What new movement would he next
inaugurate?
Alice Hampton knew as we'll as
her father that II the Telephone COM
pany failed they would lose all the
money they had. John Hampton was
a well-to-do man and Alice was
proud. No girl in the village was
loved more than she. She had been
sought after by number of good and
rich men but she was one of old New
-.