Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-08-10


collect the tax and escape the danger of Il
suit at law for recovery A number of ir.
responsible men were named. but Sylvanus
Baldwin would not trust them. Why not
entrust their business to minor3 Just
the thing. There was Daniel standing by.
Yes, Sylvanus would stand by anything
Daniel might do.
Daniel, therefore, was fitted out with a
horse and cart for receiving the provisions,
and began canvass of the town. Doty's
name had been erased, and Daniel s
inserted in the warrant. When he came
TO Samuel Rich, that gentleman cheerfuIly
paid the whole of his tax in money. In
fact, almost everybody paid, and the $1,000
was collected. The acquaintance with all
the inhabitants of Montpelier, and their
places of residence which this collectorship
afforded, was a great help to Daniel six
years later, when he engaged in trade.
1t was the boys business that summer,
10 raIIy tIo nanus'' O,v,J "ius ostiy
anu kCI llti lOl luOiu
tansy WAS voted the best-befoIe br cakftst.
At II o'clock and again at 4, he went the
rounds of the men rs they were ut work
with rum and water, He also ground or
filed all their tools, and kept them picked
up and in place. He finally complained
to his brother that he had no chance to
learn the trade. Sylvanus, who had un-
limited confidence in his brother, immedi-
ately assigned him one of the main interior
columns to case up, and row of seats
back of it to finish--;he finest work in the
building, and the boy did it to satisfaction.
The gang of hands being strangers in
the town, were bent, it seems, on more
than one frolic. As soon rs apples were
ripe, they said they must have some to eat.
Accordingly, taking some bags one even
ing and inviting Daniel and Sam they
proceeded to the farm of Mr.. Lemuel
StIckDey-the first place over the hill in
Berlin on the Old Turnpike" road. and
reached there about 10 o'clock. They
stationed pickets at various points, and
selected Daniel to stand between the
orchard and the house. Now Daniel was
we'll acquainted with Mr.. Stickney, and
knew he was kind hearted, generous
man. Making no pretense, therefore, of
standing watch, he walked straight up to
the farmhouse door and raped. He was
greeted kindly, and said:
"Mr. Stickney, the State House hands
say they want some apples to eat, and
have come up to see if they can get some.
80 yes, certainly" was the reply
Let them have all they want. You know
where the best Trees are, Daniel, and will
you show them?"
Daniel whistled to- the men and shouted
"Mr. Stickney says you may have all the
apples you want" The bags were kept
out of sight, and no man had the mean.
ness to take more than his pockets full.
The State House was completed and
great preparations were made by the
townsfok to accommodate the temporary
but large addition to their numbers.
Many of the Legislators were compelled tc
seek boarding place among the neigh
boring farmers. Sylvanus Baldwin board
ed seventeen of them. He said to DAME
that if the latter would procure brushes
and blacking he might have all he could
make backing the gentlemen's boots
Daniel bought brushes and good supply
of Day & Martins backing, and faithfully
polished up all those coarse cowhide boot.
through the session. The streets of Mont
pelier were bad enough at that time in
good weather, and this fall there was a
good deal of rain; the boots. therefore
which were mostly worn outside the pant
aloons, came in so thickly coated with
clay that the boy had first to scour then
with hot water and then dry them, before
applying the backing, The boots hat
probably never known anything buttalov
before. In addition to this Daniel pro
cured their liquor for them. A cupboard
was set apart for their use, and each mar
had his private bottle, which he sent to tn,
store for quart of brandy, gin or wine
as the case might be. Another volunteer
service on Daniels part was the caring
for their horses by making arrangements
with farmers for their pasturage during
the session. What was the boys disap
pointment, when at the departure of thes,
gentlemen only one or two of then
thought of the many services he ha,
rendered. He was bashful and modest
and the result was he did not receive mon
ey enough to pay for his outlay in brushes
and backing.
Until the fall of 1910, the boy having
now nearly attained manly strength
worked upon various buildings in town
The summer of 1909, he with journey
man was sent to build new house TO
Mr.. Morse, six miles from Montpelier
where the celebrated Morse sugar place
now is. They worked there till Thanks
giving; and then Daniel, who had departed
from home with light and scant summe
clothing and no shoes, and whose brothe
for some reason neglected, on request an,
although snow had fallen, to send nev
outfit. was obliged to undertake the Jour
ney home on foot with very insufficien
protection for his body, and, for his feet
nothing but some old "footngs" furnishe,
by Mrs, Morse. The journeyman starte,
with him, both carrying heavy loads O
tools. Before they got through the Ion,
stretch or woods just this side of tn
house. Daniels feet, coming in contac
with the frozen earth which proiecte,
through the inch-deep snow, began t.
bleed. His companion relieved him of
portion of his burden. and with much pair
he at last reached Montpelier. He erie,
bitterly when he arrived home, and com
planned to his brother that the latter di
not treat him rightly. He requested that
like the other apprentices he mioht h