Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-01-13
ApIeasant occasion.

representatives ot every department aao
class of the employees Of the Rutland end
Burlington Railroad, proceeded to the
residence Of Col. George A. Merrill. Super
intendent of the roaod, bearing with them
an appreciative testimonial of their per-
sonal regard and friendship for that Of
ficer. Immediately on their arrival the
cases containing the presentation service
were opened. They consisted of ice cream
stand, plates, knives and spoons, coffee
Urn, tea and coffee service, sugar, cream
and waste bowls. They were enclosed in
two elegant cases. At this point Cover
nor Page stepped forward and first pre-
sented Col Merrill with beautiful white
rose, sent with the compliments of lady,
remarking this was part of the pro-
gramme that had not been adyertised.
Gov. Page then proceeded to speak sub
stantially as follows:
COL Merrill In behalf of the gentle
men assembled here, representing over two
hundred of the men in the employ of the
Rutland and Burlington Railroad, 1 am
requested to present this silver service, as
mark of their high esteem for you as a
man and citizen, as we'll as from the
pleasant relations they have sustained to
you in their varied spheres of duty.
Although your residence and associations
with us have been short, yet in this
period you have won their regard and
personal friendship. This testimonial
comes only from the hearts of those who
have contributed in its bestowal. 1t has
been their desire to present their Super
intendent with New Years gift, as a
token of remembrance, and they have had
the entire direction of it, in accordance
with their own taste and as their own
warm impulses dictated to them, and in
this spirit it is presented in their behalf.
This is heartfelt offering from the en-
ployes of the road. Accept it as token
expressive of the high regard in which you
are held by them. | trust you and your
companion may live many years yet, to
enjoy their warm and appreciative friend
ship, and when life's labors are closed may
we all be reunited around the throne of
our Lord and Master.
Col Merrill replied, in accepting the
testimonial, as follows:
Gentlemen To say | am surprised at
your presence here to.night-or had it
not been for the importance given it by
Mr.. Cain of the Rutland Courier, who
generously and with his usual enterprise,
issued an extra this afternoon and some
what anticipated my surprise is certain
ly most true,
To say am gratifed with your call
and the gift you bring, cannot surprise
you, for | do not claim immunity from
that common humanity which makes
every man glad to know that in his rela-
tions-his daily intercourse with other
men-if not always wholly understood,
are SO far yelled by their charity, that
they look favorably upon him, and give
him credit for right meaning, however un-
fortunate he may be in his action. l
trust and believe no man has contributed
toward this munifcent gift, who does
not desire to signify by it his kindly re-
gard for me as n1a7a--without one
thought of my official position, which per-
haps another may more worthily fill to-
morrow.
Gentlemen, L accept these memorials of
your regard, with gratitude only
equaled by the delicate and generous
manner in which you have conveyed them,
and these mementoes of our common
brotherhood shall ever be cherished by
me as among the choicest treasures of my
household.
Be pleased, Governor and Gentlemen,
to bear to the donors the assurance OF my
kindest regard-my most grateful thanks.
After brief time spent in social and
SRI - in
vited to partake of collation., which the
hostess had, prepared that was greatly en-
joyed by all the participants.
The occasion was one calculated to i'm
press all with the conviction that the re-
lations existing between Superintendent
Merrill and those associated with him
were of such fraternal character as gene
rates those warm impulses of the heart
that lead to the formation of a Gordon of
ties that find their consumation in warm
and genial friendship in peronal and bust
ness intercourse. The evidences Of cordial
cooperation and fellowship between those
who had contributed TO this testimonial of
remembrance made it manifest that il
was free-will and heartfelt offering on
the part of those who rendered it.
After an hour spent in jovial and pleas
ant converse the company took leave of
Col. Merrill and his accomplished. wife,
beariLg with them agreeable impressions
of the occasion and the sentiments which
prompted the token of remembrance pre-
sented to one who has worthily merited
the appreciation of those who are most
intimately associated with him.
The service is of sterling silver and is a
substantial symbolizttion of its meaning
to the recipient. 1t was purchased of our
townsm4n, Ben X. Chase, at cost OF
fifteen hundred dollars.
ACCIDENT AND FORTUNATE ESCAPE
Last night, on the up mail train over the
Bennington s. Rutland Railroad, Mr..
Gtlbert d. Milliugton, the mail agent, in
attempting to exchange mail bags at
Sunderland, missed his footing while
standing in the door of the mail car, and
fell forward, out of the car, the train be-
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