The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-01-09
THE STAGE.COACH STORY.

One cold day, five OF six years ago, q
number Of US were numbering in an old
stage coach over the hills of New Hamp-
shire. The journey was long and tire
some so to while away the time. we related
to each other incidents of our past his
tories. An old gentleman's story interest
ed us all extremely. 1t was simple and
simply told. If l could only retain the
touching simplicity of the old gentleman's
language, l am sure you would like the
story as well we did. | will try to repeat
as nearly as l can remember
al spent my boyhood," he began, sup
here among the granite hills When was
about twenty, purchased my time of my
father, and as the town where | lived was
rather dull place to begin business in, l
decided to go to the then new city OF
Lowell to seek my fortune. My good
mother fitted me out with suit of plain,
homemade wooden clothes, and with these,
and few dollars in money, l set out.
GA short stay in Lowell showed me
that could not find work there, 80 con-
cluded to go to Boston. l was fearful
that my funds might fail before could
earn anything; SO sending my little trunk
by stage, trudged the thirty miles to
Boston on foot, to save the fare. Arriv-
Ing at Charlestown, where my trunk had
been left, I told the landlord where stop
ped, how l was situated that was in pur-
suit OF work, and that | was short of
money, and should be glad to work for my
board till l could find situation.
"The landlord was chopping at a big
wood pile, and listened kindly to my story
saw wood I never sawed a stick in my
life,' I replied. Chose were still days Of
fire places and big bacK-lOgs at my father 8. }
But [ can chop end split as well as any
body. WELL said the man, / cont want
to hire, but that lady over there, (pointing
to house across the street, has Just had
lot of wood drawn. If you are willing
to do 1t, you may take my too.s, and I
think she will give you job
"Of course, gladly accepted the offer.
and went over to see the lady. She was
kindlooking widow lady asked her if
she wanted her wood sawed, and told her
honestly that l was not much used TO that
sort of work, and probably could not do
the JOB as quickly as others might, but
that If she would try me thought could
give satisfaction. She seemed pleased with
my frankness, and told me | might 90 to
work.
cit was new business to me. so could
not do great days work at first. At
night the landlord asked me how much /
had earned. About seventy-fiye cents
l told him. 90, that'll do to begin with
said he. III board you as long as you'll
do as well as that The next day I did
little better, and earned a dollar and a
quarter. 1t took me three or four DAYS to
finish this first job, but gave 80 good
satisfaction that l got other wood piles to
saw, and had as much work as could do
AFTER working awhile IN this way,
let myself to stable-keeper for month,
at ten dollars and board The work was
very hard l had to work all day and part
of the night, and the same SUNDAYS as
week days. But l was determined to do
faithfully all that was required of me, and
succeeded so well that when my month
was out, my employer was anxious to hire
me longer. l told him had concluded to
leave. He thought l was bautering for
more wages. and offered me twelve dollars
month. But l told him No. the work
was too hard, and l could not consent to
work on the Sabbath. So left and hired
myself for six months to teamster.
Here continued as had begun, work
ing faithfully and honestly for my en-
ployer. He appeared to be pleased with
me, and made me many presents. But j
soon saw that 1t was not the place for me-
There was great deal of swearing and
driI king among the teamsters. Sunday
they made holiday. / thought that
such society was not the best for me to
be in.
While travelling, had heard of an old
gentleman in Boston, very wealthy and
very odd, who wanted to hire q man
Some hard stories were told of him by
those who had been in his employ. He
was very strict and particular, it was said,
and so hard to suit that nobody ever staid
with him long. But putting all these
stories together, l made up my mind that
it would be good place for one really de,
sirous of doing well. SO l went over to
Boston to see him.
HE wanted man to help about the
house and yard. He was a man of few
words If l was honest and faithful, and
could satisfy the women folks, he would
give me ten dollars month for year l
rather liked the old man, and told him that
l was honest, that always did the best l
could, and that rather thought l could
please the women. Well said he, L
guess you are honest You may try, but
remember, you must satisfy the women
folks So | went to his house and re-
ported myself at the kitchen.
As is often the case in wealthy families
IN the city, the cook had charge of She
household. She was large, biack-eyed
woman, weighing two hundred or over.