True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-05-13
The Littls, lTin. Pals, I !

AT about six o'clock in the afternoon,
passenger cannot walk through the quiet
est streetin The city withou! meeting men
each with little tin pail in his hand. As
the bearer swings it at his side, and raps
: against his large buttons, one can readily
know that it is empty. Where has he
been? What has he been DOING? What
is the pail for! One may not able to see
anything in the pail. but. after all, it has
a pleasant story in it. Early in the NOR
ming that pail is filed Before the break.
fast things are washed and put away, il
is placed upon the table by a good. indus
trious woman, who rose before the sun,
to prepare the morning meal, and bathe
and wash her children. Her fingers and
feet have been busy all the morning, and
now she stops all other work, TO see the
laboring husband off td his work, and pre-
pare his noon meal for him. The bread
and meat, the large piece of pie, the
slice of nice gingerbread, the pickles
and perhaps, some dainty bit which she
has saved for the man she loves, are pla-
ced in the little tin pail, one after another
until it is full, and the lid placed snugly
on. He, the laborer, stands by nd'looks
on. When all is finished, he gives kiss
10 the youngest, says pleasant good
} morning to his wife, takes his pail in his
hand, and away he goes. ts
From that time he disappears for the
day. No one asks where he goes, and
few knows. He swings the hammer, or
pushes the plane, or practises some other
! handicraft, in doors or out. He tolls all
day for bread and clothing, for himself
and family, His arms are strong, bis heart
courageous, and his mind content. The
) rich roll by in their carriages, but he cares
not. Gay idlers attract his eye for mo-
ment, but he despises them. When
!. noonlime comes, aud the long whistles
sound at the shops, he drops his work,
and opens his little tin pail. Down goes
' the meat with The true zest, and the bread
tastes as sweety as mama, for he has the
: health that labor brings. At last he reach
es the bottom, his eyes moisten as he
sees there piece Of fruit or some little
delicacy, which his wife has smuggled in
unknown to him-something which had
! cost her se(-denial. Isn't that sweet
meal With his appetite, and with the
!. sweet associations which embalm it, it is
Q feast for the Gods.
The whistle sounds again, and again
!, the strong hands and courageous heart
! are at work. The day is now on the
wane, but he grows lit,y weary, for there
1 is warm place in his heart that feeds
the fire on which willing labor depends.
! His eye is lifted to the clock hour after
hour during pauses in his labor, and down
: falls the tardy index, until at last, the
: stroke Of six rings out and the whistle Of
release for the day gives its welcome
: blast. Before him are twelve or fourteen
+ blessed hours of rest The rough hands
9 are washed, the shirt sleeves rolled down
g and buttoned, the coat PUT on, the little
: tin pail taken from its hiding place, and
$ he is in the street again. Now we NEE
l him. Now the streets are full of little Tin
pals. They are carried by men who
a have self-respect, who live manly lives,
a who earn their bread, and owe not any
r man." The little lin pail rings careless
ly at their side the celebration of day:
e labor achieved-of hard money hardly
q won. A thousand children run to meet
the little tin pals, and beg the privilege
q of carrying them into the houses aud ten
y emenls scattered all over the city. Ii
\ FIVE hundred Of these, the table is already
/: set out, and at the fire sits the neatly
/ dressed wife, and the Kissing tea pot
n awaiting the husbands return. Behold
q the family group gathered around th
IS evening board !! Before those health,
/ appetites how quickly the viands disap
y pear! And then the good wife washes
s the tea things where they stand, and tht
u little tin pail is cleanly wiped out an
polished for the next days service. Thus
81 and thus again, the days 60 round, wit
long, sweet sleep between.
at Toiling--rejoici joicing--sorrowing--
lie Onward through life he goes =
in Each morning sees some task begin,
W ,a Each evening sees It close; u aF
pe Something attempted something done,
re Has earned a nights, repose. 'asss
to God bless the laborer! God bless hi
ly companion, the little tinapail! May
a. evermore be as full oflove and all love
ce sweet associations as it is filed each mo
II. ming with food, and maysthe food nevt
Sc fail. Few understand how truly the Ii
lg tie tin pail is the index Of the prosperit
or of a community. The more ihickly v
n, meet them in the streets, the more pro
porous do we know We are growing.
4 let us feel kindly towards the little (,
"a pals, and deal kindly towards those wi
IFS bear them. For labor is the truly homo
ye able thing among men. There is not
SO neatly graded lawn, pretty garden,
I'M well trained tree, that does not iell Of
ke 1t builds magnificent cities. creates navie
ne bridges rivers, and lays tlierailroad irac
cir and forms every part Of the flying loo
& motive. Wherever a steamer ploug
The waves, orsthe long canal bears 4
es. the nalioh's inland wealth lwherev