Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-23
Wen Merited Compliment.

Yesterday evening there was a circle o
happy faces and bright eyes, all agloF with
friendship and kindly feeling, gathered at
the Grover and Baker Sewing Machine
Salesrooms on Church street, to witness
some interesting ceremonies. The agents
and employees of the establishment, prompt
ed by generous hearts, had very appropr-
ately taken it into their heads to surprise
their chief agent, Mr.. B. w. Randall, by
presenting him with a magnificent Silver
Tea Service, as Christmas present, and a
slight token of their high appreciation of his
character and business qualities. They had
selected one Of their number, Mr.. Henry
w. Forde, to make the presentation speech.
The whole affair was managed so as to keep
Mr.. Randall profoundly ignorant of what
was going on till he was ushered into the
room where the friends invited had assem-
bled, with all interested in the presentation,
and the surprise was complete.
The ceremony was opened by friend
assuring Mr. Randall that those present were
there to sympathize with him, and contrib
ute their influence to the enjoyment of the
occasion Mr.. Forde then said:
Mr.. b. w. Randall: In the name of your
agents and employees, now have the plea
sure, as well as the honor, Of presenting to
YOU this beautiful silver tea service, as a to-
ken of the high esteem in which you are
held by us. May it ever be happy and
lasting reminder of our appreciation of
YOU. Ere the wheels of time make another
annual revolution, we may be separated by
death or unknown circumstances, and in
view OF this fact let us cherish the fcnd
hope of meeting in the land of eternal Christ
mas. --r a.
We now thank you most cordially for the
many kindnesses shown to US by you;
hoping that you may, in the future, as in
the past, lie always eminently successful in
business; and wishing that your life may
be longevous, and, if it were possible, still
more happy than ever before; and that you
may see many, very many more merry
Christmases and happy New Years. We
have caused our Present to be inscribed
"To our General agent, Il. w. RANDALL,
from his agents and employees; NGshUitte,
Tenn, Dec. rs, 1871" "
MR.. b. W. IANDALLs REPLY.
MIR. III. w. FoRDE: Allow me to say to
the Ladies and Gentlemen you represent
this evening, that have always considered
! fair play jewel; but you have taken me
SO entirely unawares that l do not really
know what TO say l had formed no idea
of meeting with such pleasant and COM
plete surprise. You have kept your secret
well, and managed the affair with business
like tact and skill. 1 now charge you, Mr..
Forde, to convey my heartfelt thanks
to each and every one OF my agents
and employees for the magnificent present,
and to wish them all, for me, merry
/ Christmas and happy New Year, and
very many happy returns of those joyous
seasons; and L hope we may all live long
10 continue the very pleasant relations
which have existed between us for the past
five years. Again, allow me to thank you
all, for your kind and magnificent token
and Christmas present, and to wish you
all, much happiness and great success.
The company were then invited to par
take of rich repsst, prepared in Charley
I Robertson's best style, which all seemed to
enjoy TO their hearts content. 1t was really
an suspicious opening of Christmas, and it
will long be remembered by all present, as
most interesting and enjoyable occasion,
where well lnerited compliment was paid
4 toa worthy business man and excellent
gentleman, by those associated with him
for years. lllJ o.. a11l 'l'E .'e