Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-28
Vol. 64.-3276. No. 40.

Bridget made what was intended for a
courtesy. Robert continued In my coun-
thry, the man served seven years or more
niyer did the like o this TO his hands"
/" No, | suppose not But Robert, this is
a free country, and we don't make such dis
tnctions hero as they do there"
But yc were born a gentleman, were 20
not ~
Every man is born gentleman in this
country if he only be Industrious and be-
have himself properly"
He then passed on, aud ohattcd with 9TH
crs of the company.
Bridget said, 4" Robert, this bates me en-.
tirely."
Well may ye say that, Bridget, and me
too for sure il bates both of us, and all
ould Ireland besides. Hurrah for Ameri.
kyw
In due time supper was served. Afler
this, the company returned TO the parlors and
amid the buzz Of conversation, Mr.. jenkins
arose and addressed them:
My Men and Friends Some Of you have
been present on former occasions not unlike
this. A few Of you are here for the first time
| need not say you are all heartily welcome
l might address you upon the relation which
employers and their workmen sustain to each
other, but upon this will not speak tonight
You all know that | am a staunch teetotaler.
do not know, however, that ever told you
why | became so. Perhaps we cannot better
spend few moments than for me to tell you
how this came to pass. As many as would
like to hear, will please raise the hand"
Every hand was raised.
| served my time in V, as some Of
you know. My boss was a man who used
liquor Three times every day we were called
to grog as regularly as to our meals got
so by the time was twenty-one that liked
liquor, aud so did every hand in the shop
Soon after | became journeyman, was
married to this lady by my side had moth
ing but my two hands We had children fast.
| spent considerable money for liquor. Once
in while | would get over the bay, and come
home drunk. The habit continued to grow
upon me, till at length became so unsteady
that no one wished to employ me- was n
good workman when | was sobcr l could
point to work which had done which was
equal to that of any other man in the place.
My wife had to take in washing to Keep the
family in bread while was loating, doing
nothing"
Bridget" said Robert, did yez iyer hear
the likes o. that2 Sich gentale lady as
Mistress jenkins doing Washing"
This interruption caused all to turn their
eyes towards Robert and Bridget, and Robert
said, " | beg your pardon, SIR"
Mr.. jenkins resumed. They were about
10 build the State House in S., and a re-
ward of several hundred dollars was offered
Tor the best plan Of building suitable for the
for which it was designed. AT the
time this advertisement appeared | was sober,
not because | had ceased to love liquor, but
because | was too poor to get it. My wife
knew | was good architect, and she encour-
aged me to try for the reward. She said she
knew could get the reward if | would only
keep sober. She said, Lyman, (she used to
call me by my Christian name then,) il you
will only keep sober week, you can get that
reward as we'll as not. We'll, said l, to
please you will try l knew must have
clear head to make my plans, and steady
myself up in room with my instruments and
paper, and in few days I had it all finished
and sent to the committee. .f
Several others had tried, but the commit
tee were unanimous in pronouncing my plans
superior to all the rest | ought to have said,
that had also made estimates of the cost of
the building, from the foundation to the top
stone. None of my noighbors knew what /
was doing, for my wife and myself determined
to say nothing to any one.
Among others who tried for the reward,
was a son of my old boss, who was then car
rying on business in V. Tie and l new
ar had agreed very well. He was known
quite well through all the region, and he con-
identity expected to obtain the reward. But,
IS have said, the committee awarded it TO
ne. One of them was acquainted with the
ION of my boss, and was passing through the
Dlace on his way home. My competitor was
If course anxious to know who was the sue
,essful man. The gentleman replied, a man
~ the name of Lyman jenkins, who lives
lere in v
80 What said he, has that poor misera-
Die cuss got the reward lie is drunk every
lay Of his life AS to that he replied, l
,now nothing, Drunk or sober, he has sur
,assed all the others. | am now going to SEQ
lin and find out it he will take the job Of
building it,
81 knew nothing about this then. was
t home, splitting wood in the backyard, and
ny wife stood over the wash-tub. Une Of
ny little girls was on the back-door step,
tudying her Sunday lesson. She was COM
hitting to memory the verse, can do all
hings through Christ who strengtheneth me-
All at once it came into my head, Christ has
me to abstain ever since | COM
nenced drawing the plan. He can do it STILL
will trust in Him. and drink no more Be-
ore this, | had thought that, If obtained
he reward, | would have good spree, and
make up for the days | had been without
iquor.
{" Full of this new idea, | went into the
louse and took my pen, and wrote on the fly
eaf of the Bible, Through Christ, who
me, will never drink any more
liquor. Amen = and signed my name to it.
held il up for my wife to read. She bust
nto tears. put away the Bible, and went
nto the backyard, and worked at my wood
81 had worked but few moments, when
he member Of the committee raped at the
oor. He enquired if Lyman jenkins lived
here, and he was shown in My wife came
nd told me. When | entered, he said, Is
our name jenkins I? told him 1t was.
Did you draw up those plans 2 He handed
ne the papers had prepared. | told him |
lid. lie then told me the result. He added,
Your plans exhibit great deal of genius.
was instructed by the committee to engage
'ou to superintend the construction of the
,uilding Since came to the place. how
yer, have learned that you are Incorporate
nd unreliable, and this leads me to question
,hethor | ought To engage yOu.'
'''Try him, said my wife, he isn't going
o drink any more. | coulo say nothing.
he got the Bible and opened it to whore |
ad written my pledge. He read it, aud
aid, Mr.. jenkins, do you mean thatr |
epiod that did. Well then, said he,
-ill try you. Here are five hundred dollars
,r the plan. Your salary will be two thou
md dollars per year. You will go and Gu
age stone, timber, and men; and we shall
ave the foundation laid this fall. But re-
ember, that if you break your pledge, you
i'll lose your job
" He went away. This is how became
tLas. fer.s ~