A DISCOMFITED TELEGRAPHIST.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2045, 13 September 1880, Page 3

A DISCOMFITED TELEGRAPHIST.

The Melbourne correspondent of the “ Sydney Evening News ” relates the fallowing : “ While I am talking about Service I must tell you a little anecdote which I can safely say is quite true. No one enjoys a grim joke more than he, only it must be grim. Well, he walked into the Melbourne Telegraph Office the other night, and it seems that of late, after 7 o’clock at night, the operators have been allowed the privilege of smoking in the office. It is, no doubt, soothing to tho lovers of the narcotic weed, but, in truth, tho office has a somewhat unofficial look when these gentlemen are in full enjoyment of their evening smoke. It so happened that as Mr Service entered tho ‘ operator in charge ’ was enjoying a short black pipe in the manager's room, and not knowing the mighty Premier by sight, he puffed contentedly away. ‘ls the manager in ? ’ demanded tho stranger. 1 No,’ carelessly replied the official behind a dense cloud of smoko; ‘is there anything I can do for you? ’ ‘Yes, I want to speak to Mr McGowan, the superintendent —there is a wire to his house.’ A little amazed at tho stranger’s knowledge, the official led the way, and taking hold of the * key,’ prepared to send the message to Mr McGowan, as desired. It was this—‘Just stepped into the office. Found operators all smoking. The one who is transmitting this has a dirty clay pipe in his mouth. Issue instructions forthwith forbidding same.’ ‘ What name, sir ? ’ said the trembling smoker. ‘ Oh, I forgot, James Service,’ and then he walked out.”