The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1894-06-15

John Stearns and Barron Hay
these are two well known names III
Bradford. They were shortened early
in life to "John" and "Barron" and
they hav'nt grown any longer in all
these years. 1t has been just John and
Barron with the people of this town
since 1915, with all that those familiar
designations imply of closeness in
friendly and neighborly ties.
So it is with John and Barron, that
this article, prepared for their friends
entertainment, has to do. The first
Barron in Bradford, John in Chelsea,
this State. They came together as boys
in AS. when John was "bound out" to
George Prichard, and they have been
to each other as brothers from that time
to the present; so that their intimacy
has stood the varied tests of nearly half
a century. They event to school to-
gether" at Bradford academy, and "sat
together" for five terms, that is, years,
for the winter term in those days
measured the length of the school year
for the bows who had to work, and
there were few who did not have to
work. They studied together, if they
studied at all; they played together
hockey, among other things. no doubt;
they fought together, probably, though
there are no visible marks to show for
it, except, perhaps, on their enemies,
whose names even, are now all forgot
ten; they did in their youth, it must be
supposed, all the evil and mischief that
good bows usually do, and all that they
have ever done, for no traces of either
are to be found in all the conduct of
their later years. In so saying we but
follow the example of their good
neighbors and friends who have al
ways been to their virtues very kind
and to their faults little blind.
The instrument by which John was
apprenticed to George Prichard for
term of seven years, is quaint and Gu
rious reading for these days, and worth
reproducing. John was left an orphan
at the age of seven and became the
ward of his relative E. G. Redington of
Chelsea, whose guardianship ceased
with the signing of the following in
denture:
This indenture made this 22nd day of May
A. ID. 1916, between +. G. RedingtOn of
Chelsea in the county of Orange and state
of Vermont legal guardian of John Z.
Stearns, minor son of John StearnS late of
Chelsea deceased, of the one part; and Geo.
Prichard of Bradford in said county mer-
chant of the other part WltneSSeth-thatt the
said RedingtOn by virtue OF the power vest
ed in him as guardian as aforesaid, hath
put, placed and bound out the said John G.
StearnS unto the said Prichard to learn the
said trade, art or mystery of merchant,
and with him after the manner of an APP
prentice, to serve from the date of these
fhn a of Eal
which will be in the year of our Lord 1852,
on which day the said apprentice if living
will be of the full age of tWenty-One years; |
during all which term the said apprentice, !
his master well and faithfully shall serve, |
his secrets keep, and his lawful commands |
everywhere at all times readily obey, he |
shall do no damage to his said master, nor |
wilfully suffer any 10 be done by Others; |
and if any to his knowledge be intended he |
shall give his said master SeaSOnable notice |
thereof; he shall not waste the goods of his |
said master, nor lend them unlawfully to
any; at cards, dice or any other unlawful
game he shall not play; with his own goods
or other during the said term without the
license of his said master he shall not trade;
taverns or playhOuses he shall not frequent;
from the service of his said master he shall
not at any time depart or absent himself
without his masters leave; but in all things
as good and faithful apprentice shall and
will demean and behave himself toward his
master and all his during the said term
And the said George Prichard on his part
doth hereby covenant, promise and agree to
teach and instruct said apprentice, or cause
him to be taught and instructed in the art,
trade or calling of merchant by the best
way or means he can, as well as look to his
moral character. And also to teach and in
struct said apprentice or cause him to be
taught and instructed in those branches of
study requisite for the business in which he
s-engaged. And to effect the same he shall
be sent to the Academy for the space of
four terms of eleven weeks each. during
said term of apprenticeship, at such period
Of apprenticeship as may best suit said
MASTER And he shall well and faithfully
find and provide for the said apprentice,
board and clothing and all neceSSaries, fit
and convenient for such an apprentice, |
during the term aforesaid and at the eXpir-
alton thereof shall give unto the said APP ;
prentice the sum of one hundred dollars
and two suits of wearing apparel, one suit
able for Sundays, and the other for work
NO days. In testimony whereof the said
RedinptOn and Prichard have hereunto in
set their hands and seals at {
Chelsea this 22nd day of May 1S45.
+. G. REDINGToN.
GEORGE PRICHARD.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the pres
DAVID HATCH.
GEO. ID. STEARNs.
I hereby give my consent to the foregO-
NO instrument at Bradford this 22nd day
# May, lS45.
rest, MOSES 5. PRICHARD. II