The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-05

On New Years day, the Ladies Of No. 2
Weaving Room, Pepperell Cooperation, pre-
scented Mr.. Allen, their overseer, with an
elegan, Silver Pitcher and Goblels, bearing
the following inscription.
Presented TO
JOHN H. LEN,
by his friends in No. Weaving Room,
Pepperell Corporation,
Biddeiord, January /, 1855.
Miss Poland. in behalf Of her associates,
on rendering the gin, addressed Mr.. Allen
as follows:
Mr.. Allen, we wish you happy New
Year; and may this and each succeeding
year come 10 you fraught with happiness
and prosperity /; may You live so that nj
liie's close you can reflect upon the pas,
with pleasure and satisfaction, knowing you
have acted well your part, AMI that the
world will BE- wiser and better for your hav.
ing lived in il. Be assured Mr.. Allen that
you and your friends have our best wishes
for your future happiness and success
through life; We hope !, may be many years
before you will be called upon 10 part with
any OF those near and Gea. 10 you.
You are aware tina, with the most Of us
you have been associated some length OF
time, and we have had an opportunity
OF knowing you well. We would say,
and say il with pleasure, that during our
acquaintance with you we have believed
you to be man Of firm principle and strict
integrity, kind 10 your friends, and iorbear-
ing towards enemies. We thank you with
feelings of gratitude for the kindness and
good will you have manifested towards us
AT all times and under AL circumstances.
TO WHICH Mr.. A. RESPONDED -
Ladies In accepting present like this,
| suppose you will expect some remarks
from me, aad perhaps speech, but | am
no speech maker. | find myself in the
same predicament that Com. Hill did al
one time. On his return home AFTER one
OF his naval victories, public dinner was
given him, and aher some remarks com.
plimentary 10 himself he was called on for
a speech; ne said he could no, make a
speech, never did such thing in his life,
and would rather 90 back and fight the bat.
lie over again than toy il. |, is so with me.
] had rather receive another such present
a. this, than 10 make a speech; yes, would
sooner stand here all night aud receive such
presents, than make the attempt.
Blu, could Ispeak with the same ease
and volubliiy as the Lady who has Just
spoken, would talk rs long as you
would listen to me; yes, | would talk
longer, would talk till you were all gone,
and then would talk, for should like TO
hear mysel. talk. fIut that is out of the
question, so must thank you rs well as
can for your kindness. | suppose ought,
TO thank the Lady for some Of her remarks
80 complimentary TO myself, but rs that is
a personal affair, think had better say
nothing about il. Let il DO enough for me
to say that appreciate your motives, accep,
your gin, and return you many thanks
Let ne assure you, TOO, that this token Of
your friendship aud fidelity will ever be
held in priceless value by me, and the
memory Of its generous donors, cherished
with feelings Of peculiar regard, and never
will my eye rise on those objects without
recalling 10 my mind one Of the mos, pleas
ing "reminiscences OF my life, and bringing
up before my inauguration most wildly,
the form and faces Of those from whose kind
hands it came. Accept. again pray you,
my most sincere thanks for your kindness
and generosity.
And now let me wish you all, collective
", wha, do earnestly desire for each in
dividually "Happy New Year."