HIS MESSAGE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 19, 7 May 1892, Page 481

HIS MESSAGE.

Every one who has used a telephone knows that there are times when it gives sounds so confused that the hearer can make from them almost any message whatever. An experience of this sort fell, not long since, to the lot of a Boston man. He was just getting ready to go to Rye Beach to spend Sunday with a friend, when the bell of his telephone began to ring. What followed is told in his own words :

I went to the telephone and asked who was there and what was wanted. The answer was nothing but. a confused buzzing and jumble of sounds, amid which I cauvht only the words. ‘ Portsmouth, New Hampshire.’ ‘ Well, Portsmouth, what do you want ?’ I asked. ‘ Buzz-z-z z, rattle-tie, buzz-z-z, I know a fool, I know a fool !’ came from the wire.

‘ What's that’’ I said, ‘ I don’t understand you.’ * Rattle-le-le, buzz z-z-z, creak, buzz, buzz, 1 know a fool, know a fool !’ said the instrument.

Now I am rather a patient man, but I must confess that I began to get ‘ riled ’ at this stranger who took so much pains to tell me that he knew a fool. However, I told him again, as calmly as I could, that I didn’t understand, and that I wished he would speak louder. This time I could barely hear the buzzing and creaking of the first part of the message, but the last came out clear and loud : ‘ I know a fool ! I know a fool I’

Well, I fear I lost my temper then, for I know I told him that I knew a good many fools, but I was sme the biggest one of the lot lived in Portsmouth. Then I hung up the receiver and left the telephone.

When I reached the Beach, my friend said, ‘ I suppose you brought the music I sent for ’’ ‘ Brought your music I’ I cried. ‘ I never heard of it till now. ’

It appeared that he had telephoned to Portsmouth, asking the central office there to telephone me to bring the song, ‘ I Fear no Foe in Shining Armour.’