The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-25
A CHAIN OF SOLID GOLD.
Foreman Henry J. Middleton OF the
Morning NeNys Honored.


Morning News Honored.
Mr.. Henry ]. Middleton, foreman Of
the MORNING News composing room, was
presented a handsome solid gold watch
chain yesterday by the members of the
composing room force.
The presentation was one Of those
events which always brighten the lives,
both of the giver and of him who re-
ceives, and which cement in firmer bonds
the relationships Of peace and
good will among men. In this
4, instance it was a testimonial of
the esteem and high regard of employees
| for their superior.
The presentation took place in the af-
| ternOon. As Mr.. Middleton entered the
| composing room at 3 o'clock the entire
! force quietly gathered around the impos-
/ ing stones. Day Foreman Croft requested
! Mr. MiddletOn's presence a moment, and
| as he stepped forward he was surrounded
| By the men. Mr.. Croft, addressing him,
| said:
To-day, Christmas eve, is the one day in the
| year when all are on the eXpectant seat, for
/ tomorrow all Will either have happiness or
sorrow depicted on their cOuntenances. Hap
plness to the true man does not alone consist
in his own happiness, but in the happiness Of
others; for. who is it that does not feel salts
faction within himself when he does good
deed for those worthy?
The members of this little group around you
at this time are extremely happy, because
they have selected one worthy on which to be-
stow their happiness. You. as our head and
guide. have been kind generous and consider
ate in all OF your actions toward US, and we
feel that some compensation is due you, not
IN the intrinsic value OF the gift. but for that
which emanates from the heart-goOd will.
The selection, also, is emblematic OF strength,
and as each link is forged on to the other
making in the end one long chain. so We trust
yonr heart will be forged to the hearts OF
these true and honest employees thus causing
peace, harmony and happiness to ever pre-
vail.
l. therefore. in the names of the employees
OF this department, have the extreme pleas
ure OF presenting you with this gold chain.
trusting you Will wear it IN remembrance Of
them and this Observation-Disclosures, $685. also,
with the wish that your declining years will
be as full Of happiness as this moment is TO
these, your well wishers.
AS Mr.. Croft concluded, he handed Mr..
Middleton the chain of solid gold. The
affair had been so quietly arranged and
the presentation was so quickly over that
the recipient had hardly been given time
to catch his breath. 1t was a complete
surprise, but, like the true newspaper
man, who is never caught mapping, MIR.
Middleton after a moment gathered his
wits, and turning to the men about him,
said:
u.
gentlemen, for this kindly consideration and
remembrance OF me at this time. Whether
deserve 1t or not, you may be sure thatit is
mighty appreciated, and viii be treasured not
for its intrinsic value, but for the motive and
feeling that prompted it. But for the life of
me cannot see why you should give it to
me. IL have contributed in any way to make
your employment here pleasant, and agreea-
Die, to make you happy and contented, it GER
tainly was nothing more than my duty. It is
pleasure to me to know gentlemen, that
nd hal hay so
kindly feeling for me. The principal ideas
Tor us all TO tnculcate and cultivate are to try
TO 40 right to each other from our standpoint,
ana II our labor is PEA iant. as ii seems to me
1t Is, and should be, and its results profitable,
what more can we ask? There is tradition
among the -- Mexican Indians, that
In the old days the members of a
certain tribe we're very happy, peaceful
and rich, and the story went that they had
discovered mountain of gold, to which was
credited all their wealth, happiness and
peace. A priest, travelling in the section Of
country SAID to be inhabited by them became
acquainted with their descendants and their
traditions. and found the tribe skilled in all
the arts Of peace-hal py and contented, and
immensely rich. In speaking OF what he saw
and heard. he translated the legend Of the
mountain of gold to mean that their peaceful
ways had brought tbem happiness and con-
tentment, and that their industry and thrift
and careful management had brought them
riches. 1t Is even so in all the walks Of life
Let us follow these precepts. There is no
reason why this little tribal gathering
should not do so, and the result will
be satisfactory, peaceful and helpful to us
! all.
| There are several OF the gentlemen en-
| ployed in this room who have spent the best
| years OF their life in the service of the MORN
| ING NEWS, along with myself, and entertain
| the highest regard for them. 1 venture to say
| that they are happy and contented with their
| employment here. III. Junger members of
the force are kind and r pectful. and atten-
| tive to their duties Their services, too. are
! highly appreciated, and 1 feel bound to them
by the ties of closest friendship.
| All that ask OF you to remember is that, If
| at any time should in the line of duty speak
rather harshly to you, it is sometimes
| necessary to good, careful work, and If
| should wound you put 1t down as an error of
| the head and not of the heart.
Let us all try to do our duty to each other,
! be community among ourselves, and help
| each other as far as we are able. Let us also
| be faithful while employed here, to the Office
that affords US living, for know we all have
| q friend and well-wlsher in the proprietor,
| Col Estill.
Again thanking you, gentlemen, from the
| depths of my heart for your kindly and val
| liable remembrance, and for the friendly ex-
| pressions OF good will, can but express the
wish that you may all spend a very merry
| Yuletide, and that we may all be found clus-
| tered together in one grand circle of friend
ship on each recurring happy, jolly Christmas
| tide.
The presentation marks the completion
| of the eleventh year of MIR. Middleton's
foremanship of the MORNING News and
| the twenty-second consecutive year of
his connection with the paper. Prior to
that he served his apprenticeship in the
| MORNING NEWS composing room.
After the presentation an informal col
| lation was spread and the compliments of
| the season were passed. The presentation
was arranged by committee consisting
| of Messrs. Eugene Devoe, d. o. Croft, A.
9. Coppedge, F. M Grisham and w. A.
| Harris