Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-08-31
How Mr. Weed Used to work.

I. b. T." writing on labor on morn
ing paper relates the following:
1 met Mr. Thurlow Weed, day or two
since, in the offise of one of our leading
papers, and l alluded to Mr.. James Har.
/ per. and l...sziso1f5 hiS views te she ---,
7 for workingman to acquire independence.
Mr.. Weed reflected moment and repli-
ed g 1t was post emphatically the rule
of LANES Harpef's whole life to study, not
how little he could work, but how much.
Mr. Harper and l learned our trade more
than fifty years ago, of Mr.. Seymour, then
the leading printer of the city. He was
our master, and was one of the best men
that God ever made He resided at num-
Der 46, John street, and lived directly op-
posite his place of business. James and
| were partners. The advantage of hav-
ing good partner, where you worked
moRth after month together at the same
press, must be apparent. Often, after We
had done a good days work, James Har-
per would say, 4" Thurlow, let's break the
back of another token-iust break its
back" | would generally reluctantly con-
sent Just to break the back of the token,
but James would beguile me, or laugh at
my complaints and never let me off until
the token was completed, fair and square.
1t was a custom with US in summer to DO
fair half days work before the other
men aud boys got their breakfast. James
and l would meet by appointment in the
grey of the morning, aud go down to John
street. We got the key of the Office by
tarsying on the window, and Mr. Seymour
would take it from under his pillow and
hand it to one of US through the opening
in the blind. y presSman, continued Mr..
Weed, who could do 20 or even 10 per
cent. more work than usual was always
sure of situation. James Harper, Tom
Kennedy, (long since dead) and made
the largest bills in the vicinity. We often
earned as much as S14 per week-hberal
wages when you remember that good board
could be obtained for $40 per month.
As Mr.. Weed uttered these words his
eyes lit up with the fires that illuminated
them in his youth, and there was that ex-
preston a moment about his face that
showed he was for an instant living over
again what were probably the pleasantest
days of his varied and successful life.
/ In alluding to these - giants among us
/ let US ask Does the modern system of
labor, under the supposed amelioratiOns of
eight hour law, trades unions, and constant
strikes, promise to bring up any represen-
tatives from the ranks of the toiling mil
lions, like the legitimate fruits of the old
industries, as represented by Thurlow
Weed, James Harper. and their co-equals
and associates, self-made-men? ?" Con-
frast the bitter spirit of antagonism that
now prevails between the employer and
the employed with Thurlow Weeds utter
ance, with deep emotion in his voice, speak
ing of his master, who had been dead
scores of years as "one of the best men
God ever made"
1t is something for the youth of the
country, thrown upon the world with no
resources but their hands and brains, to
figure to themselves james Harper and
Thurlow Weed, tall, athletic, six feet high,
splendid young men, of the best American
type, shaking off sleep ere dawn, and hur-
rying to their business.