Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-16
RutIand "Reminiscences.


The demolition of the old Baptist
meeting house has recalled the associa-
ton of the present writer with the same
at its erection, as bricklayer. 1t has
been suggested that few facts NAV be
profitable to the present generation of
youthful aspirants
After sickness of nine years an am
bilious father died, leaving his wife and
five children in penury. The oldest, with
no patron but Providence and pluck.
walked from his native New Hampshire
to Vermont, and began a three years ap-
premiership with Willard & Chaplin of
West Windsor. The weary adventurer
arrived where his future companions
were employed, on bright afternoon in
June, just at ''grog-time" Taking off
his coat and accepting proffered glass
of milk punch, he said: there goes for
the first brick" 1t was laid in the back
ing up Of Esquire Jaquith's underpin-
ming, near where boss Willard lived. As
it was the only one beneath the ground
floor, and isolated in the mortar wall, il
could be easily identified; and, twenty
three years afterwards it was dug out.
to be converted into an inkstand, set In
bronze, with all its original roughness
preserved, precious relic.
The next spring, in company with
fellow workman, to save time, we walk
ed, between the weeks, from Wood
stock to Rutland, carrying our clothes
and tools. Never viii be forgotten the
evening aspects of southwestern beauty
as we descended the green heights to-
ward the charming natural terrace along
which the town of that day was built.
As we approached, other decorators of
sacred time Joined us, with long strings
of gold-tfnted trout.
From lowest foundation of rock to
highest finish in brick, these hands toll
ed cheerfully on that ediice, built under
contract with George Daniels. Perfect
ly well is he remembered and, perhaps
not the less gratefully, because it has al
ways been believed that to him we were
indebted for the first "dead-head."
In the hall Of that hotel which "went
up with the old court house, a vagrant
corps of Thespians, under the manage
ment of Gilbert & Trowbridge, favored
us with the first glance at Shaksperean
glories. At any rate, somebody gave US
a ticket to see "Othello." 1t was a reve-
lation! The playful was in our hat the
next day, when the vestibule partition
wall was started, " Hubbard" said one
of the boys to his fellow apprentice,
''the pulpit will stand about here" and
down that programme was laid under the
first course of brick. Many a time did
that youth afterwards preach over the
latent vestige of Juvenile indifference.
As the youngest apprentice, it was
made our duty to carry round the bottle
at eleven and four. A years experience
had created sufficient disgust at the me-
NAL service and its pernicious effects.
Soon after the main walls began to as
cend, we succeeded in carrying local
option" SO far at least as TO dispense
with open drains. Some of the compa-
ny broke the pledge virtually, in the way
of ''cider made better;" but our voca-
ton happily ended, and the bottle was
buried in the wall.
Directly in front, in those days, stood
a bookstore, kept by an excellent citizen,
whose name others will easily recall.
Over the store was a printing office, and
on the left as you entered was a lottery
Office. 1t was our habit at mornings"
while the rest reposed in the shade on
the lawn, to 90 there to read something
choice. One day, as time summoned
back to work, the dealer inquired:-
Young man, viii you buy ticket"
Prompt was the reply,-''no, if / am
ever worth dollar, it shall be put into
something good and sure, ike book.
From his desk in the rear, and in style
of most courteous commentator, the
Christian gentleman called out,-"my
young friend, if that is your motto, and
you viii only be true to yourself, for
tune viii brighten fast enough upon
your hardy toll. "
Yes, children of dear old Doric New
England! No matter if you are born
barefooted at the foot of impeding hills,
up which destiny compels you toscratch
gravel through long years, 90 ahead with
honest endeavor, and may God bless you
all Elm.
Philadelphia, May Is, 1872.