The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-11-01
Operator No. Is
Was 1t an Unlucky
Number?
BY CLARISSA NACKIE

o oS
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Giles Elwood. fresh from his native
city of the progressive west, bounced
out of his hotel bed and ran to the
window. A clatter of hoofs on the as
phalt, the clang of gongs. the swift
rushing of electric vehicles. the glitter
Ing plumes of black and white smoke,
and the fire engines disappeared up the
avenue.
The westerner sat down on the edge
of the bed and yRwned sleeplly. At
home In his own city n fire was first
announced by the ringing of alarm
bells that respectable citizens might be
informed of the coming spectacle and
be on hand to witness the conflagra-
ton. Inside his vest pocket was the
list of box numbers ut which he was
in the habit of CHANGING when the bells
In the towers prayed forth the alarms.
Here In New York 1t was different.
The silent alarm system might have
its advantages, but 1t certainly de-
prived Interested strangers from wit
Messing that much advertised attrac
tion-a three alarm Gotham fire.
Then, again. Mt home If he was
without his trusty alarm card, all he
had to do was to telephone to the cen
trail telephone office and ask where the
fire was Did he dare do that in New
York? Yet possibly three alarm fire
was eating up dollars within half
dozen blocks of his hotel
He snapped on the electric light look.
ed Mt his watch. saw that 1t was 2
O'clock and went TO the telephone.
There were two of these. one that con
nected with the hotel switchboard and
the other n long distance instrument.
He glanced at them and chose the hotel
telephone.
NUMBER" cnme In such sweet reply
that Ellwood REDEEMED with sudden ex-
element.
Ell don't want anybody-that is,
Will you please tell me where the fire
isT' no stammered
why, It Is in the hotel here around
on the Broadway side. There is no
danger; It is under control now" said
the voice sweetly. though rather wea-
rlly.
Thanks. very much,' said Elwood
earnestly, and he reluctantly hung up
the receiver.
He tumbled into bed, dazedly aware
that something strange had happened.
He could scarcely define the feeling
that prompted him to earnestly 20 over
In his mind his yearly income and
wonder for the first time If he could
afford to marry on It. 1t was the first
time he had taken that into consldera-
ton
Ellwood laughed at his own folly and
fell asleep, feeling very light hearted
over nothing In particular. When
morning came and with It the business
he had prescribed for the day he could
not drive from his recollection tho
voice he had heard in the night. He
made up his mind to talk with her
again II possible
After breakfast no hobnobbed with
the clerk and protested desire TO see
the switchboard of the house telephone
service
A double row Of straight backed fig
ures with becoming black straps over
their varleolored heads rewarded his
curiosity, Then II was that he recol-
lected that his particular voice must
be on the night shift. for lie had spo-
ken with her ut 2 o'clock that morn.
ing. He determined TO wander hotel
ward IN the wee sma hours OF the next
morning.
Night came and with 1t the coveted
opportunity TO enter into some com
munication with the voice that had at
tracted him. lie looked aimlessly from
the window and wished for another
fire. But fires are not made to order,
mouth settled into the lines Of deter
mination that had been craven on his
face.
"Number? came her adorable voice.
"0h--can you tell me where the FIRE
tsp he asked frantically.
Fire? didn't know there was one"
she said rather YEARLY.
Neither did t. blurted Ellwood. ~
thought there might be one. you know"
"ohi' she said crisply and cut the
connection
Ellwood leaned back In his chair, his
hand over his heart. He was frankly
worried. 81 don't know but what I've
got heart trouble" he muttered dubi-