Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1890 — HE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND. [ARTICLE]

HE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND.

▲ Ihaui Granger’s Disheartening Experience with Cipher DU patch ceTo prevent mistakes in transmitting, the grain and commission men have a well-established oipher in which words that are not little to be mistaken by the telegraph operator are used in plaoe of the quotation figures. Some of the Kansas City firms use the cipher In corresponding with their out-of-town customers, and others do not, as the general rule of customers are not familiar with the oipher. A Kansas man was in Kansas City last year and made a large purchase of wheat of a large commission house on a 4 per oent margin, says the Star of that city. He requested the firm to telegraph him the quotations next day, and a clerk of the firm was instructed to present him with a cipher key, but neglected to do so. The Kansas man now tells the story of his speculation with great gusto. The next morning be reoeived a telegram: "Opened, disgust.” He was somewhat surprised, and failed to make any sense out of tho message. A little later he received another message. "Disgusted.” He did not know what it meant, but it was signed. So he telegraphed back to the commission firm: "So am I.” A little later came a telegram: "Disgusting.” By this time he was getting mad, and sent back another message: "I should say it was disgusting. What do you meanP” Before he had fairly got his answer on the wires there came another message: "Disheartened.” So was the Kansas man; so he waited and did not answer. But when another message oame in "Dishonest,” he sent back word: "I won’t dispute it, and I think you are crazy also. Sell all my wheat at once.” A little later he reoeived a message: "Sold just in time. Now disgorge.” To say that the Kansas man was mad would be putting it mildly. He took the train that night for Kansas City to see what it meant, and when he found out he treated all around. Disgust translated is 99f cents; disgusted, 97f cents; disgusting, 100 cents; disheartened, 1011 cents; dishonest, 1011 cents, and disgorge, 99 J.