Sometimes I think about the telephone service of the last century.

It was a time when a live telephone operator would respond with the words, "Number, please," when you picked the phone up from its stand. In doing so, the phone was activated, and you gave her the number you wished to speak to. Sometimes the respondent to your call told you that you had the wrong number. It was convenient to place the blame on the telephone operator, bypassing your possible role in the matter.

The great American humorist, James Thurber, who was an acute observer of everyday life and average people, had this response when told he had the wrong number, "Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer?"

I wonder if Thurber would share my thought that there is an unintended similarity between today's cell phone and that of yesteryear. At that time, most phones were on a party line, sharing the use of the phone line with several other people who were unknown and nameless. But you did find out who the people were who shared your phone line, didn't you? You listened to their conversations, stealthily sneaking the phone off its stand. You soon learned about the lifestyle, the secret joys, vices and problems of the callers.

How like today's world permeated by the uncontrolled growth of cell phones, so like weeds in society's garden, in which the public listens to the cell phone chatter of nameless people talking about private matters, seemingly oblivious to the carrying sound of their voices. Or are they?

Our phone number was 1376-R in those early years. Remembering that number is proof that the brain finds it easier to remember what is trivial rather than what is vital. As youngsters we were reminded often not to talk too long on the phone because it could prevent someone on the party line from calling the police or fire department on an emergency matter. The phone stood seriously black and unused most of the time.

"Numbers" is an interesting word. The fourth book of the Old Testament is named "Numbers." It is the story of the Israelites and their journey from Mount Sinai. The word "numbers" is derived from the word "census," or "counting of the people" that was done at the beginning and end of their journey. The book contains the stories and records of the people.

Numbers often tell their stories more effectively than words. It is as English Lord Thompson said, "When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you will know something about it, but when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind."

Because of an unquenched curiosity and as an aid to memory lapses, I have been compiling for years witticisms and astonishing facts in what I call My Memory Book. Many of the facts are bolstered by numbers. Following are but a very few:

• $530 million: "The federal government spent more than $530 million in tobacco subsidies between 1995 and 2006." (Action on Smoking and Health)

• 3 gallons: "It takes 3 gallons of water to create 1 gallon of ethanol." (TV documentary)

• $3 million: "Most ads in the Feb. 1, 2009, Super Bowl television broadcast sold for $3 million per 30 seconds." (Wisconsin State Journal)

• 137,473 and 50,177: "In 2007, the latest year for which comprehensive statistics are available, the Columbia Energy Center emitted 137,473 tons of sulfur dioxide and almost 50,177 tons carbon dioxide." (Portage Daily Register)

• 5: Only five Republicans voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which ensures equal pay for equal work for men and women.

• 80 million gallons: "Cascade Mountain uses about 80 million gallons of water each season to create and maintain the 135-acre winter wonderland." (Portage Daily Register)

• $1,500 a second: It was in 2003 that Bill Moyers said, "War costs $1,500 a second," or $90,000 a minute, $5,400,000 an hour. ("NOW With Bill Moyers")

• 15 years: "According to a new study, if the minimum wages had increased at the same rate as CEO pay for the past 15 years, minimum wage would be $23.03 an hour." (Wisconsin State Journal)

• $35,815: "Portage's median income in the 2000 census was $35,815, while the state was $43,791. In Baraboo it was $38,375 and in Columbus it was $43,667." (Portage Daily Register)

• $2.1 trillion: The Iraq and Afghanistan wars, including occupation, could cost the U.S. up to $2.1 trillion by 2017. (The Associated Press)

• $871 billion: The new cost figure for the health-care bill is $87.1 billion for 10 years, one that would include the public option. (Oct. 21, 2009)

• 35 percent: Only 35 percent of Americans older than the age of 65 are online, according to Pew Research Center. (Wisconsin State Journal)

• 14 million gallons: "The U.S. armed forces consume about 14 million gallons of oil each day, half of it in jet fuel." (Bruce Johnson, in The Progressive)

• 60 percent: Most prescription drugs are effective in only 60 percent of treated patients, leading to a trial and error approach to treatment." (The Associated Press)

As I see it, numbers are stories told without an extensive use of words.

Blanche Murtagh is a longtime Portage resident and activist who has had many of her stories published.