Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-04

broken down he was l nao 10 iel Hill
60 for needed good help. Still have
always been sorry I did let him go. II
T had felt then as now / should have
kept and given him a chance. UP to a
few days ago / did not know what hao
become of MIN, but interest IN MS we'll
fare led me to make inquiries Learn
ing his residence l wrote him and re-
ceived a nice letter in reply, in which
he said ne was a different man from
what he was when last he worked for
me.
But there is no need of going so far
hack or so far away for examples;
there are plenty Of illustrations close
at hand.
Hallowell is noted for It's hills, whose
beauty and glory have been sung by
Hallowell poets many time. but there
is one hill which is of almost world
wide fame for its beautiful white gran
lite, unsurpassed for building and mon
umental work. On this hill l have Hv-
ed for 20 years and have had good
opportunity to observe the disastrous
effects which the constant use of intox-
icating drinks has had upon a certain
class Of men; but 1 am right glad to
say that Of all the hundreds upon hum
dreds of men who have worked here in
that time, only a few have SO far sue
curlbed to the drink habit as to be
still at the foot of the ladder. The Hal
lowell Granite Works is a. good COM
pany to work for-none better. They
house their men we'll and treat them
well, so well that men are attracted to
the place from all parts Of Maine. but
principally from Vinalhaven, Bluehill,
Waldoboro and other eastern points.
And the beauty of it all is that when
men become dissatisfied, drop their
hammers and go away for awhile, they
soon learn their mistake and are
mighty glad to get back to the good
old hill; and lots of men know, who
| commenced work here 80 to 40 years
ago with almost nothing, are now quite
independent, having nice homes of
their own. And this was accomplished
by being sober, Industrious and saving.
Some failed to make good because of
| the booze habit, and when the habit
became so strong as to unfit them for
the duties they were required to per-
form, the company would discharge
| them for a time; then take them on
again, but after repeated trials, which
| failed to bring the desired results, their
patience would become exhausted and
| they then discharged them for good.
Granite Hill is q modest hill, not
world famous like some hills famous
for noted or historic people, but it is
| the proud possessor of one woman--a
woman who, nearly 20 years ago, was
| left a widow with nine children to face
| the stern realities of life, and she faced
| them bravcly. She loved those children
and they were loyal TO her. With a
courage worthy of emulation by any
woman in like circumstances or 9TH
erwise, she went right to work and
| with but her two hands and some help
! from the older ones, she brought them
! all up to manhood and womanhood to
be SOBER and industrious, winning the
| admiration and esteem of all who
son died. she took upon herself the ad-
| ditional burden of caring for a beloved,
| but invalid daughter-in-law an
| achievement worthy Of the highest
communication.
| lis thus l gladly pay this tribute to
the living On the scroll of achievement
in the great hereafter her name shall
be enrolled, not for deeds of mighty
| valor; not for fame in the field of lit
erature. science, art, but in duty to
! that blessed word Mother she did
| her part. w p A.
l