Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-07-10
OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Eight O'Clock.

Tuesday, 9th, 1873, was joyful evening
in Frostburg. 1t was indeed gratifying to
TO see, not only the merchants and sales
men quitting their toll and returning to
their homes, but also the loungcrs about
the streets and corners disappearing a
couple of hours before their usual time and
going home to their families. The women
laughed, the children danced and shouted,
and ran for a good night kiss. The young
maidens in their modcsty smiled and looked
pleased; the lodges were better filled than
usual with some of their best members, and
tho very chickens went to roost carly and
crowed their joy, and seemed liveler and
gaycr all day to-day, for the happy surprise
of last evening. For chickens, you must
know, do not take newspapers, and the old
house dog could hardly contain himself at
the JOY of seeing his master coming home
so early.
But, seriously to have the means in our
power and disposition to use them to con-
fer on a community such joy as last night
conferred, Is worth more to a night minded
citizen than all the money he could make
between the hours of eight and eleven at
night
To compare the buoyant steps and the
beaming countenances Of these men as they
closed their stores at the stipulated hour
and wendell their various ways to their
homes their lodges, or their swccthcarts,
with haggard crawl and forced smile as
they continued to exc out hot day and
sutry night behind the counter, was enough
to make the most churlish heart rclent and
leap with pleasure at the sight And it is
to be hoped that these relieved men felt it
in their hearts to knecl in gratitude at their
bcdsidcs as they felt once more like frecmen
and knew that there is something in this
world to enjoy besides toiling for filthy
Mcrc.
And as ] passed along the street this
morning and, watched the movements and
appearances of these hands in their several
departments, could not help noticing the
difference in their looks. They seemed to
tell me with their eyes, eve have had good
rest and pleasant dreams last night and feel
ready for work. Come in and let lis wait
you and try to make you as happy as we
feel ourselves JOY is insnuating and con
tageous | felt its thrill, and went in.
Merchants of Frostburg, you ma; depend
upon it, your pockets will never be lighter
nor your hearts heavier for this act of
brothcrly generosity TO your assistants. |
envy not the man, or all that he could
make, who 50 wound up in his own sordid
seltShcss, would show himself so destitute of
generosity, magnanimity, and good neigh
borhood, as to refuse claim so modcstly
and dctcrenlially put forth.
And now, that these merchants have gen
crously and uobly done their part toward
this much needed reform, let all buyers and
dealers remember that much rests with them
to facilitate its success. Let every working
man remember that he would not wish to
be confined to the mine and shop until bed
time let him not turn tyrant to his fellow
worker by compelling him to do so let cv
cry man of leisure remember that it is but
a small thing to do what you can to give
these men, who stand ready to serve you
all day, the small pttancc of an he ur
or two in the evening. And let it not
be forgotten that the merchants themselves
and their families need these hours as much
rs their helps
Fellow citizens, if the merchants are
willing to let off their clerks, don't you go
there just at eight p. NJ. 10 bore them; feel
it your duty and privilege to help on the
reform, so that the man who goes back on
it, or contemptibly attempts to sneak out
of it, will assurcdly meet deserved re-
ward. ANXIOUS.