Public Ledger

An Electric Courtship, Sense in Romance and a Case of True Charity.
[Philadelphia Times.]

During the last two years Miss Louise Eib and Miss Laura Jordan, telegraph operators, have worked together in the Western Union office at St. Joseph, Missouri. Persons about the office who could not read the tickings of Miss Eib's instrument were puzzled frequently to see Miss Jordan put her hands to her ears. The very inquisitive, noticing that during the quick motions she shoved bits of cotton into the auricular channels, sometimes would ask if anything was wrong, but Miss Jordan would avoid the question. Not until two weeks ago, indeed, was light thrown upon the mysterious movements of the young woman and the smiling habits of her associates. Then it was revealed that Miss Eib is to be married shortly, that the young man in the case is John Martin, a Kansas City operator, and that the young couple have been making love by wire since 1879. In that year they agreed upon a cipher alphabet by the use of which many tender sentiments were passed to and fro. Miss Jordan soon caught up the key, however, and, that she might not be in the way, kindly stopped her ears. The men in the office often wondered at Miss Eib's thoughtful silence and the happy smiles that completely mastered her as she sat at her operating desk, and now that they know the secret they insist that she shall be married by wire, but, being a sensible girl, she prefers the hand to hand custom.