The Royal Mail: Its Curiosities and Romance

It has been left to America to produce a mistake in telegraphing which, while it is very amusing, could not result in hurt or disappointment to any one. Here it is, just as received from the other side of the "ferry":-- A St Louis merchant, while in New York, received a telegram notifying that his wife was ill. He sent a message to his family doctor asking the nature of the sickness, and if there was any danger, and promptly received the answer "No danger; your wife has had a child; if we can keep her from having another to-night she will do well." The mystification of the agitated husband was not removed until a second inquiry revealed the fact that his indisposed lady had had a chill.