Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr - Chapter 25

A part of the Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr

Uncle Aubrey went with us to the Hudson River R. R. station. We were going home by rail. When we came in the passenger room, there was no one at the ticket office window, but there were several men in the room, and, I had noticed warnings up in the office "Beware of pick pockets!" Then when I went to get my tickets. The whole of the spectators walked up too! Uncle Aubrey was standing in the outer door where we came and saw the whole performance. He looked for a police man, but none in sight. As they all seemed anxious to get tickets, I turned about facing them, and looking at the one I thought the leader - I remember his eyes were of a greenish hazel color. I said, I can wait gentlemen! They all seemed to take the hint and sort of melted away greatly to Uncle Harveys relief. When I got my tickets, Uncle said, "Hiram I was sure you would be robbed." Repeating the worn remark. "Never can find a police when you want him!" continuing, "Never saw a more bold piece of work! It was well you know something about the city, and he should report to Leonard before night!"

We made no car acquaintance on our trip to Middlebury only the Congregational minister Rev. Mr. Clark came with us from Troy. He had a bookstore at Middlebury and preached in Tipton every other Sabbath, and I was leader of the choir there when possible. He made considerable fun for Sarah, telling that anecdote about Hon. Daniel Chipman's writing. In relation to his publishing the memoirs of Ethan Al(len?) and Seth Warner, How I translated the letter when Chipman could not.

I took Sarah to Tipton where I was finishing Drake and Twitchell mill boarding with my brother Henry awhile. I was calculating to make a strike for a ho?? and as I had some reputation as a millwright I went to Centre Rutland, to Wm. Y. Ripley. It was about the first of January 1854.

I saw Mr. Ripley, who said, "He had heard of me". But his work was all stopped til spring. Then he would commence quite a mill in Mendon, and I could have chance at that."

I came back in the evening, the cars got to Middlebury 1/2 past 7 P.M. I walked into Nathan Woods store: it was pretty cold, and sit down by the stove. Mr. Woos came and sat by my side. His first remark was as my boots were in sight "Hurlburt you ought to have a larger foot" (I wore number seven) "a man of your weight" (Which was near one hundred and eighty pounds.) I understood him somewhat, he could caller when he felt like it. Then he changed the subject. "I have been talking with Mr. Philo Jewett of Weybridge. Jewell has got a little money, and he and I, propose to have you go up to Tipton, to the old Sam Hendrick saw mill, and build all new, pick your own help, and we both will see that you are reasonably paid." He put on his stern smile, saying "Do you think you will be secure of your pay?" Says I. Yes. Just as good as a Middlebury Bank! Then Wood proceeded to find out my price? I said, Have just been to Wm. Y. Ripley of Centre Rutland. Who says, He will give me one dollar and seventy five cents a day, and board, but I can't get to work until March.

Wood said. Hiram, you better go right up there and see what you want for new work, and plan how you want it, leave all to you, then you take a week to make drawings and fetch them out. Your pay will begin when you start for Ripton to see what you want. I did not feel the cold on the walk out to Weybridge. I was studying Wood and Jewett's mill.

I went immediately up to the place. Looked how I would have the mill stand; where I would place the shingle-mill, also cut off works for slabs and for lath and pickets.

Then back to Weybridge and made the plan on paper, with every piece in the frame, even to the braces, and estimated lumber to be required. Then to Middlebury where plan was accepted. Wood carrying me himself to the job with my new axe weight three and three quarter pounds.

I boarded with a family by name of King, and had the sons for helpers, George, Norman and John King. Sarah thought we had better keep house. So when spring was fairly come, we moved into a house I had owned for some four years. David Sherman had occupied it paying a low rent. The first story was cellar back, but finished up in front, the second story not finished, only ready to plaster.

But for us it was a palace, our wants were few and we had means to meet them. July 8th we had a daughter come to us, I obtained a girl. And she was so afraid to touch the little doll! It was in a hurrying time, and I had to work pretty hard. I remember of coming home several evenings, and the little Ellen would cry, and nothing would do or satisfy only to walk the room with her, and if I should write how little sleep I had would scarcely be credited. But the clouds all passed off in a short time; and Sarah wanted I should give her the money to pay the girl, for she did not want her. Which was done. Then for help I had Mrs. Ardenne Phillips to help Sarah when she wished.

I finished the mill. And wood and Jewett came up and wanted to talk, they wanted I should take the mill by the piece, on every thing, so much a thousand feet on lumber and a price on shingles and lathe.

I wrote a contract in duplicate, but did not put, but did not put in the time it should run. When Wood read it over says he: "I have not mentioned the time it should extend.

Now Wood when I was at Bacon's shingle mill, (as related in a former chapter) had dealings with us. We Henry Bacon and myself had bought at beginning of cold weather some goods to keep at the mill, to buy shingle logs with and to pay in shingles; but it came on excessive cold weather and the mill wheel froze up; the water in the river shrunk, and we just could not meet the date of payment with shingles. So without any warning had a writ served on us. The amount was sixty two dollars. I found my half, Henry his half, and I went down and settled it.

I know the cost was one dollar and thirty cents - my half sixty five cents. Dar?? Church the sheriff asked Wood (so Church told me) What he wanted to sue those young men for? "Oh! To stir them up, it will do them good.

So when Wood asked me How long the contract might run? I told him just long enough to get out of you one dollar and thirty cents, cost and interest you made Henry Bacon and myself. That pleased him, and he had to tell Jewett the story. And I told Jewett how we were frozen up. Would laughed and said. "Did em good".