21/88 The poor little telephone business was plagued almost out of its senses. It was like a dog with a tin can tied to its tail. No matter where it went, it was pursued by this unearthly clatter. "We were ashamed to present our bills," said A.A.Adee, one of the first agents; "for no matter how plainly a man talked into his telephone, his language was apt to sound like Choctaw at the other end of the line." All manner of devices were solemnly tried to hush the wires, and each one usually proved to be as futile as an incantation. What was to be done? |