Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-01-02

The Hon. John Bigelow. of New York,
late L. 5. Minister to Paris, has published
\ letter addressed to him by the late Azariah
c. Flagg, which contains some interesting
details of the early life of that exemplary
citizen. The letter was in acknowledgment
of copy of Mr.. Bigelow' valuable edition
Of Franklin's Autobiography. Mr.. flagg
says:
Il was VERY yonng when copy OF the
book first came into my possession: when
nv father removed to Richmond, Vt, | was
only nine years old, and this was probably
in the autumn OF 1899. In the spring or
summer of 1900, my father visited Burning
ton, where he found a cousin engaged IN
publishing a newspaper. In conVersihg
with my father respecting his boys, MT.
Baker proposed to take one OF them as an
apprentice to the printing business, 10 which
my father assented, and received from MI
Baker some books for the children, one OF
which was Life of DR.. Franklin, which
was given to me. In the spring or summer
of 1901 two of our neighbors were going TO
Burlington on horseback, they agreeing TO
lead nv horse on their return. W hen we
arrived at Burlington, and were passing
the bnilding then baing erected for the use
of the University Of Vermont, remember
seeing on the cornerstone OF the Duliuing
the figures 1901; this corresponds WIN the
well-remembered fact that entered upon
nv apprenticeship when | was ii year.
! old.
~ served an irregular apprenticeship
with Mr.. Baker of about five years after
! Ms my father made an agreement with
% h..
! Themselves in the business of printing
book-binding. and bookselling, in the town
of darlington. for my services Mt a stipula.
/ ted price. in which IT was agreed that
should perform daily task, and that th'
pavment for all extra work should be per
/ auisite of my own. was at the same tint
! encouraged with the promise that with care
| full usage might take books from the book
store to read after my daily task was done
! I remember that in six weeks i gained TINT
enough to read ROllins's Ancient Histo
~" in ten volumes. have in my posses
| SION pamphlet bearing the imprint o
Greenleaf a Mills, which was printed b,
me in 1906 10 1907 printed an address t
the students of the University Of Vernon
hy the PreSident-of the College.
From the age Of seventeen think had;
lust appreciation Of the valuable teaching
of DR.. franklin, and 1t was my firm reSoly
to adhere through life 10 his maxims o
economy At the time to which have re
ferred, my views were limited to the faith
I fal discharge of the duties of an homes
mechanic. After pursuing this trade 10
fifteen years important public trusts wcr
c1nfled 10 ne. and think that my wOr,
will not be questioned that for the nineteel
wears during which served the State,
gave 10 the public the benefit If the SCUM
preceptS inculcated by that eminent ma
whose talents and virtues were 50 univer
sally honored and respected by the ciyilize
world.
If were called on Tor my own opinion j
regard to the most useful work to be place
in the hands of the youth Of oar countr
who are forced to begin the battle of lii
dependent solely on their own exertions,
should recommend thorough study of tn
autobiography of DR.. Franklin"
4 more fattering tribute ha, rarely
ever been paid to the memory Of Franklin