Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-11-19
Dr. Todd's Workshops.

Tts lWhN y w hUIkNHONNa
WHERE NJ LAnoaFD WIN HANDS AND HEAD
A wonderful workshop is that little room
in the First Church parsonage where the
reverend Dr. Dodd so deity wrought in
his leisure hours. At each Of the windows
stands lathe in the center Of the room
a miniature buzz saw on a shelf a steam
engine hardlyas large as your two fists, but
Of full half-horse power, and perfect in every
part, with brass and iron cylinders and rods
and crank shining like gold and silver. All
about the walls, in neatly painted racks
built by the doctors own hands are gouges,
scoops, drills, chisels and thousand other
useful tools Of every size and shape Ham,
mers for all sorts of work, and saws, coarse
and fine, big and little have their own place,
fitted for them, and all about where they
hang are the names Of the friends who pre-
sented them, and the number and sizo OF
the tool, 80 that the workman could put his
hand upon Just the one he wanted. DR..
Todd was a skilful mechanic, besides being
learned and sound preacher and he took
great delight in fashioning beautiful little
keepsakes for his friends. lie made match
safes and jewelry boxes from ivory, Of
graceful pattern and elegant finish. He
turned pretty mantel ornaments from boar's
teeth, a supply Of which he received from the
missionaries in Africa, and one formidable
tusk he had still in stock when he " finished
his labors" lie had rosewood and ebony
aud lignum Vita, and other precious woods,
/ from which he made a hundred curious and
useful articles, giving them to his children
and other relatives as memontoos. He leaves
unfinished q set Of chess men OF beautiful
material and very fine ornamentaton, upon
which ho spent many leisure hours, aud
which, had he completed them, would have
been the crowning product Of his work
among his machinery in the dark and lay
his hand upon any tool that he wanted, and
those who have seen how orderly and care
fully everything is arranged, will never
doubt the statement There is place for
everything and everything in its place,
and there's not rust spot or blemish dim
ming the glitter Of polished implements.
To an appreciativo laborer with such tools
and machinery as the room contains, this
wonderfully large aud rare collection would
be surprise and delight They were the
accumulation of many years, and the Doc
tor said there was hardly thing that could
be added to make it more complete.
Just across the hall from this room is the
other work shop where the busy brain
wrought out the world-famo-s books, and
where he framed the sermons and lectures
= and lessons that he gave his people, and
which are so well remembered and treas
ured About the wall hang pictures the
T. donations Of many friends-sunny little
Z landscapes neatly framed chromos and en-
T cravings, that make the place pleasant and
interesting. In one corner an ingeniously
: arranged fountain plays. On brackets are
some of Rogers best groups, and a multi
; tude of Parian busts and statuettes. Over
the arched opening to the library, are hung
the Doctors rife, with which he was so IA
nous n marksman.. There, too, are several
3 noble pairs of antlers, the trophies Of his
hunting expeditions in the Canada forests
and the Adrondacks. Indian snow shoes
G and paddles, and other curious articles
Il used by hunters in the woods and on the
: streams, have also place, and well pre-
: pared musket made years and years ago,
y by the Pomeroys, in loyal Berkshire, which
was found doing dsloyal service in the
g South during the war, is hung among the
le Doctors own weapons, present from the
d lameuted " Willie" Rockwell. A tiny con-
servatory, built in one of the windows, the
At Doctor-ke stored with winter blooming
le plants, which he carefully tended and
ID which were bit of bright, summer life
when the wide prospect from the other win
e. dows was dreary and bleak under the win
r ter skies and snow A handsome clock
e. presented to the Doctor by the American
y Board, 10 return for the great services he
er had done for that organization, ornaments
one wall, and on stand very near the Doc
~ tors desk is little silver tea set, presented
ST by parishioner who long since went tC
'e her reward, and beside this are a quantity
ID made teapot, sugar.bowl, and some tea
r cups of china, which the dear dead daugh
W ter Mary left to her father as token Of hei
affection.
a The library is stored with two thousanC
ed volumes, which, to a clergyman, are mini
er of wealth. Like that in the other work
Nj shop, this material is of the highest order
" and the assortment full and perfect. Book
nd theological, biographical and historical
: pertaining to churches, their creeds AM
er principles; sketches of the men eminent il
be Bible learning and histories that are dee
wells Of information-the best of thes
'g' have place on the shelves. There are fey
'as richor libraries for ministerial instruction
de than this Heseleoted literally but wisely
ied and fortunate will he be into whose posses
yer sion the books may come.-Bertshd
ne Eagle.