The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-05-09
The Little Tin Pals.
From the Springfield Republican.

/
At about six o'clock in the afternoon, ;
passenger cannot walk through the quictcs
street in the city without meeting men, each
with little tin pail in his hand. AS the
bearer swings it at his side, and raps it a
galnst his large buttons. one can rcadil,
know that it is empty. Where has he been
What has he been doing? What is the pai
tor One may not be able to see ANYTHING
III the pail, but after all, it has a pleasan,
story in it. Early in the morning that pai
is filled. Before the breakfast things are
washed and put away, it is placed upon
the table bya good Industrious woman, who
rose before the sun, to prepare the mornin.
meal and bathc and dress her Children Hel
ihScrs and feet have been busy all the morn
ln%' and now she stops all other work to see
the labornS husband off to his work, and
prepare his noon meal for him. The bread
and meat. the large piece Of pie, the ginger
bread the pickles, and, pcrha ps, some dainty
ut which she has saved for the man she
loves, are placed in the little tin pail, one af-
ter another, until it is full. and the lid placed
snuSly on. He. the laborcr. stands BY and
LOOKS on. When all is finished, he gives a
KISS to the Youngest, says pleasant good
morning to his wife. takes his pail in his
hand. and away he goes.
From that time he disappears for the day.
No one asks where he goes, and few know
lie swings the hammer, or pushes the plane,
or practices some other handcratt. indoors
or out. He tolls all dav for bread and cloth
lng. for himself and family. His arms are
strong. his heart is courageous. and his mind
content. The rich roll by in their carriages.
but he cares not. Gay idlcrs attract his eve
for moment. but he dc>piscs them. When
noontmc comes. and the long whistle sounds
at the shops, he drops his work. and opens
his little tin PAL. Down goes the meat with
true Zcst. and the bread tastes as swcctlv as
mamma. for he has the health which labor
brings. ut last. he reaches the bot:oin. and
his eyes mol>tcn as he sees there piece Of
fruit. or some little dclcacv. which the kind
wife had >muyylrd in unknown to him
something which had cost her some sci-dc-
MAI. Isn't that a sweet meal? With his
appetite and with the sweet associations
which cmhaln it. it is feast for the gods.
The whistle sounds again, and again the
strong hands and Courageous heart are at
work. l he day is ROW upon the wanc. but
ne grows little weary. for there is Il warm
Place III his heart that feeds the fire on VIII ch
wiling labor depends. Hi, eve is lifted to
the clock, hour after hour. during pauscs IN
his labor. and down falls the ;ur,lv index. un-
til. at last. the stroke Of six rings out. and
the whist, OF release for the ,iav gives its
welcome blast. Before him are twelve or
ioartecn blessed hours Of rest. The rough
hands are washed, the shirt sleeves rolled
down and b"itoncd, the coai put OIL the lit
tie TN pal taken from its hiding place. and
he Is Ill the street again. Now We meet him.
Now the streets are full Of li,tlc tin pail>-
they are carried by men who have self It.
>pcct. who live many lives. who earn their
bread. and ''owc not any man" The ,itllr
TN pail rings carelc>>ly al their side the cl-
cbration ola days labor achicvcd-ot hard
money hardly won. y Thousand children
run to meet the little tin pals, and beg the
privilege Of ,ai,. .lng them n,t" l4.--.o. e:,,.
tcnemcntS scattered all over the city. In
five hundred Of thc>c. the table is already st,
out. and at the fire sits the neatly dressed
wife and the Kissing tea pot. awaiting the
husbands return. Behold the family group
gathered around the evening board. Before
those healthy appetitcs how quickly the Vi
ands dl@appr;r And then. the good wife
washes the tea things where they stand. and
the little tin pail is clcanlv wiped out and
polished Off for the next day service. Thus
and thus again, the days 90 round, with long
sweet sleep between.