“Not exactly, but there was no more work for me after the holidays.”
“I see,” declared Charley shortly. “Why don’t you learn to be a telephone boy?”
“Wish I might; but where could I? Every place I go they want experienced help, but how’s a fellow ever to get any experience if he never has a chance to learn?”
“That’s so. Maybe I could teach you something about it. Our office closes early, and there’d be plenty of chances to learn.”
“I wish you would.”
“I’ll speak to the boss about it to-morrow, and let you know. I stand in pretty good with him.”
The next evening Charley left word at Tom’s house (for our hero was absent, delivering some books for the second-hand dealer) that the broker had consented to allow Tom to learn how to operate a small private exchange switchboard.
When Tom got home, later that evening, he went over to Charley’s house, and they completed the arrangements. The following afternoon Tom presented himself at the broker’s office. Business was over for the day, and save for two bookkeepers and Charley, the place was deserted.
Thereupon, Charley initiated Tom into the mysteries of the plugs, the weighted cords, the switches, cams and the push buttons that constitute a private exchange.
“Do you think it will take me long to learn it?” asked Tom, as he made imaginary connections.