THE humors of the telegraph are very amusing. A year or so since, the
agent of the Delaware and Hudson Freighting Line, at Honesdale,
Pennsylvania, sent the following dispatch to the agent at New York:
"D. Horton--Dear Sir: Please send me a shipping-book for 1859."
The dispatch received, read as follows:
"D. Horton:--Please send me a shipping-box eighteen feet by nine."
The following might have been more disastrous in its results; the same
parties were concerned. Mr. Horton wrote to the proprietor of the line
that he had been subpoenaed on a trial to be held in the Supreme Court
of New York, and that as navigation was about to open, it would be
necessary to send a man to perform his office duties. The following
reply was entrusted to the tender care of the telegraph wire:
"See the Judge at once and get excused. I cannot send a man in your
place."
When received, it read as follows:
"See the Judge at once and get executed; I can send a man in your
place."
Mr. H. claims on the margin of the dispatch a stay of execution.
Not long since a gentleman telegraphed to a friend at Cleveland an
interesting family affair, as follows:
"Sarah and little one are doing well."
The telegraph reached its destination, when it read thus:
"Sarah and litter are doing well."
The recipient telegraphed back the following startling query:
"For Heaven's sake, how many?"