1934 The bon Vivant's Companion (7th printing 1934) by Jerry Thomas

Introduction

The Lord smiled benevolently upon the city of New Haven,Connecticut,on a stormy winter's night in 1825, and His official tot-bearer, the stork, rode the gale from Heaven and deposited a little stranger within the humble cottage home of Mr,and Mrs. William Daniel Thomas, respectable though pious people,who were ever ready to drop a coin into the collection plate or provide a fried chicken for the pastor. Like the Magi of eld, they gazed upon the infant in bewil dered but worshipping awe,and listened raptly to the wails which racked his puny frame. They named him Jeremiah. "We'll make him a preacher," said Mr. Thomas."Or a Professor,"he added,thinking of Yale College and the digni fied savants of the faculty. "A preacher," Mrs. Thomas decided, and murmured ec statically. "The Reverend Jeremiah Thomas! Oh, Will, maybe a D.D.!" "Of course," agreed Mr.Thomas."By all means a D.D." But, alas for the fond hopes of doting parents! A power transcending that of man had decreed the fate of the inno cent babe,and no such dreadful destiny had been plotted for him upon the heavenly charts. He did not become the Rev erend Jeremiah Thomas,for it was not written that he should receive and interpret, and when necessary amend, the com mands and wishes of the Almighty. Nor did he become a

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