CHAPTER XX.
AN IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE BOARD.
Now that the telegraphic line was built, and in good working order, it became immediately necessary to appoint another operator, for it was quite evident that Harry could not work both ends of the line.
It was easy enough to appoint an operator, but not so easy for such person to work the instruments.

In fact, Harry was the only individual in the company or the neighborhood who understood the duties of a telegrapher, and his opportunities for practice had been exceedingly limited.
It was determined to educate an operator, and Harvey Davis was chosen as the most suitable individual for the position.

So, day after day was spent by Harry and Harvey, the one in the cabin of "One-eyed Lewston," and the other in that of Aunt Judy, in steady, though often unsatisfactory, practice in the transmission and reading of telegraphic messages.
Of course, great interest was taken in their progress, and some members of the Board were generally present at one or the other of the stations.
Kate often came over to Aunt Judy's cabin, and almost always there were other persons present, each of whom, whenever there was a chance, was eager to send a telegraphic message gratis, even if it were only across Crooked Creek.
Sometimes neither Harry nor Harvey could make out what the other one was trying to say, and then they would run out of the station and go down to the bank of the creek and shout across for explanations.

A great many more intelligible messages were sent in this way, for the first few days, than were transmitted over the wire.
Tony Kirk remarked, after a performance of this kind, "It 'pears to me that it wasn't no use to put up that ar wire, fur two fellows could a been app'inted, one to stand on each side o' the creek, and holler the messages across." But, of course, such a proceeding would have been extremely irregular.
Tony was not accustomed to the strict requirements of business.
Sometimes the messages were extremely complicated.

For instance, Harry, one day about noon, carefully telegraphed the following: I would not go home.