All the Year Round Volume 15 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 Excerpt: ...business of whose life is to catch early trains, the partner in the great house to whom I am indebted for my trip through Pressland, Bookland, and the kingdom of Runnyrede, tells me that the whole of this great fabric grew from a desire, on the part of the founder, to catch the early coaches with the morning newspapers, in time to forward them into the country without losing twelve, or, perhaps, twenty-four hours, by letting them wait over till the next coach. To that end the light carts and swift horses, able to catch up the coach if she had started too promptly for the dilatory newspapers of half a century ago. In extreme cases the late Mr. Smith sent an express independent of all coaches and public conveyances whatsoever. 'His greatest stroke occurred when King George the Fourth died. Immediately on the king's demise a Government messenger was sent over to Ireland to inform the viceroy of that event; but when he arrived, he was astounded to find that Smith's express had beaten him by four-and-twenty hours--in fact, that all Dublin knew more than he did. From that great day the house has prospered even until now. As I drift out of this very " big mill," I notice that all the workpeople are busily engaged at tea, and find, on inquiry, that no more combustible matter than newspapers is allowed on the premises--lucif er matches and strong drink being specially "tabooed." A placard hanging against the wall catches my eye, with the heading' Provident Fund," under which Messrs. Smith offer to take care of their workpeople's savings, and allow them six per cent. on all sums of ten shillings and upwards--an excellent example to great employers of labour. A CHARMING FELLOW. BY FRANCES ELKANOR TROLLOPH. AUTHOR 01 "AUNT MAROARET's TROUb...