The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-05-14
gaisfeIIareons SeIertionss. s
why Lyman Jenkins became
a TeetOtaleF.


was IN U@; but ne often had JopSi IL
several places at a time. He had a few
experienced workmen upon whom he
could rely to oversee the work, and EN-,
ployed men under them, while be had
general supervision of the whole
Each gang of hands called him the
'told. boss" to distinguish him from
those under whose Immediate direction
they performed their labors.
i Every winter, during the holidays
| he made it a point to invite all those il
his employ who resided in u tc
take tea and spend an evening with
him. All who had families were ex
pected to bring their wives and child
rem with them.
He came into the shop one morning
and extended the invitation. After he
left, Thomas King, who had been only
short time in his employ, said to
George Atkinson,
care you going to the old boss'i
lpartyF'
'tOf course l shall. "
nDo they have a good time there |?
''First rate. You must be sure and
Igo, and take your wife and babies too.
81 don't know about that. The old
boss CAME along the other day, just
after l had taken some bitters, and
suppose he smelled my breath; for be
said, king, you must look out or you
win not get that moulding right He
added, BE careful never to take any
thing inside which will prevent your
making a straight edge"
'lPshaw! King" said Atkinson, II
would not stay away on that account
He cuts rather hard sometimes, but he
is a good man to work for"
"True enough, he is" said King;
''but then you know a fellow does not
like to be rasped off in that way. He
is strong teetotaler; but for my part,
| think he carries matters rather too far.
believe in temperance as firmly as any
man; but when go home at night, l
like a drop before / have my supper.
l want a little, also, in the morning,
and again about eleven o'clock. l
never mean to be the worse for liquor"
Atkinson replied, Il hope you viii
not drink any on the day of the party,
because, if he should smell your breath,
he might give you lecture on the spot.
You will have fine oysters and as good
tea and coffee as can be made, and you
will enjoy yourself very much. l have
worked for the old boss now going on
for seven years, and always look for
ward to the tea-party with great interest
Ny wife and children also consider it
the greatest day of the year. l really
believe they would rather miss going
home to Thanksgiving, than to miss the
old boss's party"
The day at length arrived. Not only
the carpenters, but all in his employ
were there, and all dressed in their best.
They brought their wives and children.d
The spacious parlors were thrown open,
and were well filed with the guests.
Thomas King had concluded TO be
present Robert O'Neill and Bridget
bis wife were also there. He was not
carpenter, but was one of Mr.. Jenkins's
hired men. He had on black broad
cloth coat which had been purched at
a secondhand clothing store, and Bird |
get had tried her best to dress herself
in fashion.
They acted as though they had never
before seen such splendor. The house
did indeed present a strong contrast to
the home they had lived in the coun-
try, and, indeed to the garret which
them a lodging-place in the
country of their adoption.
Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins moved around
among their guests. At length they
Robert and Bridget. Mr..
Jenkins said, $50, Robert, this is your
wife, is sbe3"
"Indade she is. Bridget, can't ye
Ipake to the gintleman Misther Jinkins,
hey call ye the old boss, but it's a raal
yintleman ye are, every inch of ye."
Bridget made what was intended for
courtesy. Robert continued, 'In my
country the man l served seven years
II more niver did the like O this to his
lands." Is
"No, l suppose not But Robert
his is a free country, and we don't make
uch distinctions here as they do there"
"But ye we're born gintleman, were
q notp Il
"EveFy man is born gentleman in
bis country, if he only be industrious
nd behave himself properly" h
He then passed on, and chatted with !
thers of the company. !:
Bridget said, "Robert, this bates me j
ntirely."
''Well may ye say that, Bridget, and !
ne too; for sure it bates both of us, and ! |,
Il ould Ireland besides. Hurrah for =
AmerikyP I
In due time supper was served.
After this, the company returned to the
arlors, and amid the buzz of converse 7,
on Mr.. Jenkins arose and addressed y
hem:
''My Men and Friends: Some of you - y
ave been present on former occasions u
Of unlike this. A few of you are here L !
n the first time. need not say you 90
re all heartily welcome. se E.'i d
81 might address you upon the rela- m
on which employers and their work al
en- sustain to each other, but upon !;
lis I viii not speak tonight You all :
now that / am staunch teetotaler. II tso
do not know, however, that / have ar
yer told you why 1 became so. Per
APPS we can not better spend few
oments then for me to tell you how
is came to pass. As many as would
Re to hear will please raise the hand" m
Every hand was raised, of
I served my time in v, as some n
you know. Ny boss was a man who n
ed liquor. Three times every day sa
8 were called to grog as regularly as oe
our meals. I got 50 by the time / be
as twenty-one that l liked liquor, aud
did every hand in the shop. Soon an
Ber l became journeyman, l was re- re-
arried to this lady by my side. l pa
ID nothing but my two hands. We u, 70
d many hard struggle. We had !, ~
ildren fast spent considerable ttn'
oney for liquor Once in while | ! ha
'uld get over the bay, and come home
unk. The habit continued to grow a =
ION me, till at length | became 50 un- fro
sady thst no one wished to employ -,
e. l was a good workman when | the