Tricks of the Telephone.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1961, 31 January 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

Tricks of the Telephone.

" There is no doubt that sometimes the «ensitiveness of the telephone is attended by Botne Blight inconvenience. For instance, the other day a person complained that he heard too well through the telephone. He had sent word to hid banker that he was coming to the oity and wished to inspect some securities which the banker had in his keeping. He was standing at the telephone, having sent the niesqnye through, when he heard the manager say quite distinctly, ' that fellow I ho is always bothering about his securities I ' ' And such observations as these,' he said, 'are rather unpleasant to hear.' " But of course," continued our informant, " these are sligtit inconveniences which are inseparable from the fact that by the telephone you virtually plaoo your ear at the extreme end of a wire which may be five or a hundred miles distant from your head. Everything that ft telephone hears it transmits with the fidelity of the ear itself. Sometimes this is very oonvenient. For instance, the other day a subscriber wished to purchase a large quantity of sugar, lie telephoned to a well-known firm to ask the price. 1 275.' was the reply. 'No; I will give 2Gs. Cnl.,' said he, and then listening he heard one of tlifl firm say to his partner, • Shall we taLo it ? ' ' Yes, 1 said the partner, ' but try to Borew another threepence out of him.' Then loudly through the telephone : 'My partner sayß 265. 9d. is the lowest we can afford.' 1 Indeed,' came the answer ; • why, I heard him say try to screw another threepence out of me. No, no ; 2()a. Gd. is the price,' and so it was."