The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-11-19
COL. BALLANTINE ''WATCHED."
A High old Time at the Florida Cen
trail and Peninsular Shops.

Yesterday a number of the engineers and
machinis,s of the Florida Central and Pc
ninsular Railway Company gathered in the
toremans office, wearing on their faces de-
| termined expressions. They were in
search OF the master machinist, Col. w. d.
Ballantiue, but their mission was one OF
love. In fact, they carried with them an
| elegant gold watch, to be presented to COL
Ballantine as a token oil their high esteem
aud admiration for him. Mr.. J. NJ. Boone
travelling engineer and conductor, as
| spokesman, presented the watch with the
| following graceful speech:
Upon me, sir. has devolved at this time
4 duty Of q very pleasant nature, a duty
| which | attempt with delight, though can
| bnt feel that others of our number could bet
ter face The music and act as spokesman
with more ability. As engineers of the
Florida Central and Peninsula Railroad
| Company it has been our good fortune to
| bc thrown into personal contact with YOU
Tor a number Of years. During that time
We have learned to appreciate the uniform
kindness and courtesy which have marked
| All your dealings with US, kindness which
we iecl assured flows from heart tull of
| good wishes for all mankind. He who
loves his fellow man will undoubtedly find
some means o. expressing that love. Your
business relation TO us and intercourse
with us have afforded YOU frequent
opportunities of exhibiting the kindly feel
Ing OF your heart-opportunities which you
have constantly improved in that direction
1t Is now our mission and privilege to
assure you that your friendly words, your
kind acts and your nobleness of purpose,
are fully appreciated by the engineers and
machinists Of the Florida Central & PENN
sular Company. On behalf of these, my
fellow workmen, and as a token of the es-
teen in which you are held by each and
every one OF us, permit me to present 10
you this watch. 1t has been selected as il
lustrating our relationship. Its constant
ticking in perfect time corresponds to the
beating of our hearts in unison with admi-
ration for your character. Please accept
this expression Of our regard and esteem,
and with it accept also our heartfelt wishes
for your prosperity and happiness here and
hereafter.
Col. Balantne was very much surprised
to the emergency. quickly recovered his
presence of mind, blushed and responded
as follows
GENTLEMEN: This is indeed a pleasant
surprise, and while thanking you from the
bottom of my heart, | assure you your gen
erous gift is greatly appreciated cannot
find words to express my emotions on be-
ing made the recipient of this truly elegant
time piece. | assure you | shall cherish il
AS a memento of the very pleasant relations
existing between US, and shall, as n mid
dle-man between yourselves and our en-
ploycrs, always cndeavor 20 carry the
scales Of justice rs evenly as The balance
wheels OF this beautiful pelce of mechanism
is adjusted, and shall in the future. as in
the past, strive to do justice to both the
! employer and employee, and you can res,
assured, that if l should err, the error will
| be OF the head, not of the heart Once
again l thank you, and repeat that, al
though | feel myself undeservng Of this
beautiful token of your esteem, | shall cher.
| sh it while life lasts. Again | thank YOU