Year: 1872

A San Francisco paper says: Two young
men, telegraphc operators, boarding at one
of our leading third class hotels and being
of somewhat hilarious disposition found
great amusement in carrying on CONVEX
sation with each other at table by ticking
on their plates with knife, fork or spoon.
For the information of those not familiar
with the teegraphy it may be well to state
that combination of sounds or ticks con-
stitute the telegraphic alphabet, and persons
familiar with these sounds can converse
thereby as intelliglbly as with spoken
words. The young lightning strikers as
already stated, were in the habit of indulg-
ing in the table talks.by this means when
ever they desired to say anything private
to each other. For instance, No. would
pick up his knife and tick off some such
remark as this to No. 2:


"Why is this butter like the offenso of
Hamlet's mce?'


No. 2-"I give it up"


No l." Because it's rank, and smells to
heaven"


OF course the joke is not appreciated by
the landlord (who sits close by), because he
doesn't understand telegraphic tricks, and
probably he wouldn't appreciate it much
if he did but the jokers enjoy it immensely
and laugh immoderately, while the other
guests wonder what can be the occasion
for this merriment and naturally conclude
that the operators must be idiots.


A few days ago, while the fun-loving
youths were seated at breakfast, a stout
built young man entered the dining room
with handsome girl on his arm, whose
timid, blushing countenance showed her
to be bride. The couple had, in fact, been
married but day or two previous, and
had come to San Francisco from their
home in Oakland or Mud Springs, or some
other rural village, for the purpose of
passing their honeymoon. The telegraph
tickers commenced as soon as the husband
and wife had seated themselves at tho
table.


No. opened the discourse as follows:


"What alovely little pigeon this is along
side of me-isn't she ?''


No. 2-"Perfectly charming; looks as if
butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Just
married. Don't you think so p


No. 1-"Yes, l should judge she was.
What luscious lips she's got If that
country pumpkin beside her was out of the
road, I'd give her a kiss and hug just for
luck"


No. 2-"Suppose you try it anyhow.
Give her little nudge under the table with
your knee"


There is no telling to what extent the
impudent rascals might have gone but for
an amusing and entirely unforeseen event.


The bridegroom's face had flushed and
dark scowl was on his brow during the
progress of the ticking conversation; but
the operators were too much occupied by
each other to pay any attention to him.
The reader may form some idea of the
young mems CONSERVATION when the part
ner of the lady picked up his knife and
licked up the following terse but vigorous
message:


"This lady is my wife, and as soon as she
gets through with her breakfast propose
to wiring your necks-you insolent whelps."


Their countenances fell very suddenly
when the message commenced. BY the
time it had ended they had lost all appetite
and appreciation for jokes, and slipped out
of the dining room in very rapid and un-
ceremonious manner The bridegroom, it
seems, was atelegraph operator, and "knew
how it was himself.