THROUGH THE TELEPHONE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 226, 17 June 1908, Page 8

THROUGH THE TELEPHONE

THE WIND AND THE WIRES. 'AN INTERLUDE. The other day the Man had occasion to call up someone on the telephone. He went to the instrument with some misgiving, for a--gusty northerly was spanking over the hills, crossing the telephone wires, and ruining nervous systems. As he approached, the thing went off of its own accord, probably in anticipation of his intention.' Brrr—rrp—rrp! He picked up the receiver. . ... "Yes?" . "—and two pounds of sausages.'? "Two—pounds— sausages —yes?" "Er—let me think—yes—one pound, of butter." ' '—pound—of—Brrr—rrpl The Man hung up tho receiver, and rang again. "What number?" "30—" Brrr —rrp! Somebody rang off in his ear, and ho suddenly went back three years in his religion. But ho hung on to tho receiver, waiting for tho Exchange. ' "Hullo!-' Exchange? 3490 please. What? _ Engaged, well"—Brrr—rrp. The Man smiled. There were other unfortunates, that was evident. "Is that Exchange? Well, you cut us off." (The lady with tho grocery list was oomplaining.) - "Wires are badly crossed—you've got them now." "Are you there?. That's right—they cut us off —one pound of butter, did you get that?" ; " —One pound—butter—Yes?" "Let mo soo—two packets of seeded—" "I say, Exchange! I want 3490—" "Seeded rasins—" "Yes, 3490—what's that? Engaged? well, look here,' Exchange, there's something wrong with these wires—giro us a ring—" "Oh, dear! Oh —are you there? Seeded raisins was the last wasn't it?" J3rrr —rrp! rang; tho Thing in'his ear, and he hing up the' received again. ■ Brrr—rrp! . "Yes?" .. "Is that 4392?" . ■ !"No—l'm sorry it isn't—There's about half a hundred people want something through my wiro, and. I'd like to oblige them." "Isn't ! it dreadful—(the voico was rather sweet, thought the Man) —do you know, I've beon at this telephone all morning." "Jolly annoying—ain't it? Where are you ringing from?"

"From —oh—aha!. What do you want to know, for?" . "You might as well, you know." ' Tho ■ voice came nearer, and softer. "I'm nearer-than you think. "Where are you?" "No you don'lH-no. half confidences. I say!" - , "What' do you say?" ' "You know—of course, we're strangers—" "Perhaps not." . '■'That's so—one never knows—well —l wa3 going to say—" "Yes?" Ho could almost see her attitude of expectancy.' • "I was going—Brrr—rrp.—Confound tho thing!" • .V ... . "You'll be sure and: send those groceries along."—Brrr—rrp!— "To the theatre?" ' "Yos." "To-night?" - { "Yos" —Brrr—rrp! "Give me 4892!" The Man smiled. "Yes?" "Is that .4392?", , (Same voice!) I : say—is .that you?" "Hal Ha! Who's' You'?" ,• "Oh—you knov/ —well I was going to say—" . . ' ' "Yes?" ; .y • "You know—your. .yoico interests me —er sympathetic tone about" Brr—rrp ! — ''two pounds of cheese—Yes?" The Man hung up the receiver, and rang viciously. "Yes?" / . "Exchange?" "Yes." "W9II, fdr goodness' sake can't you do something ifith . these 'Fires ? I have ' just b6en cut off in the .middle of an important conversation." , ' ■ • "Hal-Ha! ,1'■ say, Esohauge! It w'asn't a bit important." . - ■ "Good onough—is.that you?" ' "Yes—but I' must go—goodbye—ha I ha! ha!" • ' '; • .