about 30 years ago I read the same thing, but I found that code much easier because it rhymed with the numbers:
1, bone; 2, shoe; 3, tree; 4, door; 5, hive; 6, sticks; 7, heaven; 8, gate; 9, line; 0, hero.
1, bone; 2, shoe; 3, tree; 4, door; 5, hive; 6, sticks; 7, heaven; 8, gate; 9, line; 0, hero.
123 -> bone shoe tree
But also Run blue bee (imagine a blue bee running with legs!)